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I – Why Venture Capital & Sustainable Ag?II – InnovationsIII – What’s next
IV - Ethics
Ag 2.0Sustainable Agriculture
meetsVenture Capital
Ag 2.0Sustainable Agriculture
meetsVenture Capital
Margot Biehle
WHY? THE PERFECT STORMWHY? THE PERFECT STORM
WHY – Financial FactorsWHY – Financial Factors
Failed financial industry = new metrics• Old paradigm = short term gain, “turn and burn” (not working)• New paradigm = “patient capital”• Search for new markets = looking for new TECHNOLOGY and EFFICIENCY• Investors find heart?….!
New theme:
PEOPLE + PLANET + PROFIT
Failed financial industry = new metrics• Old paradigm = short term gain, “turn and burn” (not working)• New paradigm = “patient capital”• Search for new markets = looking for new TECHNOLOGY and EFFICIENCY• Investors find heart?….!
New theme:
PEOPLE + PLANET + PROFIT
WHY? Environmental FactorsWHY? Environmental Factors•60% of Climate Change issues = agriculture•Peak Oil = Intensity of petrochemical use is INEFFICIENT and EXPENSIVE•Since 1970, 25% more farmland used to feed 80% more people (fewer resources, increased demand)•Increased consumer demand due to press and popular books (Eric Schlosser, Michael Pollan)•National Organic Program started in 2002 by DOA•Organic market growing 20% per year•Monocropping and big ag neither nimble nor responsive to demand. (Market loves solving inefficiencies
•60% of Climate Change issues = agriculture•Peak Oil = Intensity of petrochemical use is INEFFICIENT and EXPENSIVE•Since 1970, 25% more farmland used to feed 80% more people (fewer resources, increased demand)•Increased consumer demand due to press and popular books (Eric Schlosser, Michael Pollan)•National Organic Program started in 2002 by DOA•Organic market growing 20% per year•Monocropping and big ag neither nimble nor responsive to demand. (Market loves solving inefficiencies
A. Technology (Science): biopesticides, biofertilizers, geodata fertilizer application, treatments (pre/post)
B. Efficiency: Hydroponics, aeroponics, vertical gardens, rooftop greenhouses, containers on steroids
C. Distribution: “Farm to fork”D. Back to the Future: Micro Farms
A. Technology (Science): biopesticides, biofertilizers, geodata fertilizer application, treatments (pre/post)
B. Efficiency: Hydroponics, aeroponics, vertical gardens, rooftop greenhouses, containers on steroids
C. Distribution: “Farm to fork”D. Back to the Future: Micro Farms
II - INNOVATIONII - INNOVATION
TECHNOLOGY: Bio-pesticides
TECHNOLOGY: Plant protectants
TECHNOLOGY: Bio-Mimicry
TECHNOLOGY: Micro-Irrigation
TECHNOLOGY: Soil Data
1. Cost of new technology may prohibit smaller farmers from access to this technology
2. Benefits large industrial farmers (some benefits to environment, any tertiary benefits to consumers?)
3. Better, healthier than alternatives
1. Cost of new technology may prohibit smaller farmers from access to this technology
2. Benefits large industrial farmers (some benefits to environment, any tertiary benefits to consumers?)
3. Better, healthier than alternatives
Technology: LimitationsTechnology: Limitations
Efficiency – Rooftop SystemsEfficiency – Rooftop Systems
Efficiency: Aeroponics
Efficiency: Contained spaces
Efficiency: Distribution
Efficiency: Distribution
What happened to dirt?!
Do you wonder what that lettuce tastes like?! (It’s probably not that bad….)
What happened to dirt?!
Do you wonder what that lettuce tastes like?! (It’s probably not that bad….)
Efficiency LimitationsEfficiency Limitations
BACK TO THE FUTURE: Microfarms
BACK TO THE FUTURE: Microfarms
BACK TO THE FUTURE: Microfarms
BACK TO THE FUTURE: Microfarms
BACK TO THE FUTURE: Microfarms
Questions:1 – When is it okay for a farmer to make
money?2 – How much is okay for a farmer to
make?3 – When does a farmer’s success =
“selling out”4 – If a farmer takes money from
someone else, is it better if it’s a bank? An investor?
Questions:1 – When is it okay for a farmer to make
money?2 – How much is okay for a farmer to
make?3 – When does a farmer’s success =
“selling out”4 – If a farmer takes money from
someone else, is it better if it’s a bank? An investor?
Agriprudence: Ag meets EthicsAgriprudence: Ag meets Ethics
AGRIPRUDENCE: Example 1 - Stonyfield
AGRIPRUDENCE: Example 2 – Niman Ranch
Thank you!
Thank you!
Ag 2.0Ag 2.0
