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HighQuest Events – Global AgInvesting, WIA Summit, Organic & Non-GMO Forum – Return To In-Person
It’s time to reconnect! Global ag event, consulting and media firm HighQuest Partners has announced that it will return to in-person events in the second half of 2021
BOSTON (May 5, 2021) – It’s time to reconnect! Global ag event, consulting and media firm HighQuest Partners has announced that it will return to in-person events in the second half of 2021.
The company will once again bring together the communities of Global AgInvesting, Women in Agribusiness, and the Organic & Non-GMO Forum for unparalleled onsite networking and engagement at its next events, all while respecting current safety guidelines and instituting unique ways of bridging relationships and partnerships in the agribusiness and investing sectors. Most events also will offer a virtual option for those who are not able to attend the live events.
Global AgInvesting On the Green
Just outside NYC, July 13-15
“Despite an extraordinary year of challenges, the GAI community did not waver in its commitment to agricultural advancements and investments,” said Kate Westfall, chief operating officer for the Ag Investing Division. “We are very excited to bring everyone together again this summer in a safe and unique way, and have had an overwhelming response from attendees eager to join us and reconnect.”
The 13th annual Global AgInvesting conference will be held July 13-15 at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club, just an hour north of NYC. Sessions and networking will take place in a professional, covered outdoor setting overlooking the Hudson River and a top 50 golf course,
with plenty of opportunities for al fresco meetings. Preliminary agenda topics include international deal flow in the ag sector, the growth of carbon sequestration/monetization, regenerative farming, agtech investment and adoption, the role of PE and a broad range of agriculture investment vehicles, and many more current themes in the burgeoning sector. Visit globalaginvesting.com to register or for more details.
Women in Agribusiness Summit
Minneapolis, September 21-23
Women in Agribusiness initiatives have fostered a year-round community of engaged executives, leaders and professional women through its distinctive virtual event offerings, its WIA Meet Ups, and informative webinars. “
Our goal is always to provide as much value to as much of our community as possible, so, for our 10th anniversary Summit, we’ve decided to host it both in-person and virtually to ensure that anyone who wants to attend can,” said Joy O’Shaughnessy, chief operating officer for HighQuest’s Agribus
The 10th anniversary Women in Agribusiness Summit, September 21-23, will be held at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis on Nicollet Mall. Discussions will ensue on innovations in the sector, the supply chain crisis and sustainability, as well as the annual highlights of the executive profiles panel and industry tour. Register and learn more at womeninag.com.
Organic & Non-GMO Forum
Minneapolis, December 1-2
The Organic & Non-GMO Forum is the event that is the source for conventional food and ag businesses to learn about the opportunities in the organic and non-GMO industries. Now in its seventh year, the event returns to Minneapolis at the Hyatt Regency on December 1-2.
Producers, processors, manufacturers, buyers and more will convene to consider the potential in these growing sectors, where sales of certified organic food products in the U.S. alone more than doubled to $7.6 billion from 2011 to 2016. Likewise, the global non-GMO food market is expected to reach $2.76 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 16.5 percent. A plethora of current topics will be presented and examined by expert industry speakers. Learn more at ongforum.com.
A 10 percent discount on registration is offered to all of these events by using the code: HQ10 at check out.
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Little Leaf Farms Raises $90M to Grow Its Greenhouse Network
Massachusetts-based Little Leaf Farms has raised $90 million in a debt and equity financing round to expand its network of hydroponic greenhouses on the East Coast. The round was led by Equilibrium Capital as well as founding investors Bill Helman and Pilot House Associates. Bank of America also participated.
by Jennifer Marston
Image from: Little Leaf Farms
Massachusetts-based Little Leaf Farms has raised $90 million in a debt and equity financing round to expand its network of hydroponic greenhouses on the East Coast. The round was led by Equilibrium Capital as well as founding investors Bill Helman and Pilot House Associates. Bank of America also participated.
Little Leaf Farms says the capital is “earmarked” to build new greenhouse sites along the East Coast, where its lettuce is currently available in about 2,500 stores.
The company already operates one 10-acre greenhouse in Devins, Massachusetts. Its facility grows leafy greens using hydroponics and a mixture of sunlight supplemented by LED-powered grow lights. Rainwater captured from the facility’s roof provides most of the water used on the farm.
According to a press release, Little Leaf Farms has doubled its retail sales to $38 million since 2019. And last year, the company bought180 acres of land in Pennsylvania on which to build an additional facility. Still another greenhouse, slated for North Carolina, will serve the Southeast region of the U.S.
Little Leaf Farms joins the likes of Revol Greens, Gotham Greens, AppHarvest, and others in bringing local(ish) greens to a greater percentage of the population. These facilities generally pack and ship their greens on the day of or day after harvesting, and only supply retailers within a certain radius. Little Leaf Farms, for example, currently servers only parts of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.
The list of regions the company serves will no doubt lengthen as the company builds up its greenhouse network in the coming months.
Farmland Asset Class Holds Strong During Volatile Year; Learn More At Global AgInvesting Events
Global AgInvesting (GAI) will host the preeminent community of agriculture investment stakeholders at a special edition of its flagship U.S. gathering on 13-15 July 2021 at the prestigious Sleepy Hollow Country Club here, just an hour north of NYC
NEW YORK (January 29, 2021) – Global AgInvesting (GAI) will host the preeminent community of agriculture investment stakeholders at a special edition of its flagship U.S. gathering on 13-15 July 2021 at the prestigious Sleepy Hollow Country Club here, just an hour north of NYC. Uncompromising industry-leading content and networking opportunities will be presented in-person while providing extra precautions for safety at this all-outdoor event.
“Through an unprecedented year of challenges across all businesses, farmland investing stayed resilient and gained greater recognition from institutional investors,” said Kate Westfall, COO of GAI for HighQuest Group, the parent company of Global AgInvesting. “And our global GAI community did not waver in its commitment to advancements and investments in the burgeoning sector during a year of virtual events. We are, however, very excited about coming together again this summer in a unique and safe way.”
The conference agenda will provide insight into agriculture as an impact investment, key in on sustainable strategies in the sector such as opportunities in regenerative agriculture and carbon capture, and highlight the value of investing in the stability of ag, as evidenced by NCREIF, the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF) Farmland Index, numbers.
For the first quarter of 2020, NCREIF cited total returns that were down -0.10 percent – the first negative total return for the Index in nearly 20 years. While this might not seem inspiring at first glance, when compared with other indices, it highlights the strength of farmland as an asset class. For example, the Dow Jones Industrial Average finished Q1 having fallen by more than 23 percent, the Russell 3000 Index fell by 20.9 percent for the quarter and the S&P 500 posted a total return for Q1 of -19.60 percent.
“These factors are not unnoticed by institutions who are increasingly focused on stability in their investment portfolios,” said Westfall. “As the food and ag community comes together to find sustainable solutions through ESG initiatives and a commitment to natural capital, we expect to see growing allocations to agriculture as an asset class. GAI will continue to be the source for unrivaled networking and education in the sector, both through our annual conferences and year-round webinars.”
The GAI Community also will gather later this year for Global AgInvesting Asia, 28-29 October in Tokyo, and Global AgInvesting Europe in London, 6-7 December.
Register here for Global AgInvesting in New York, or here for the latest complimentary webinar, or to view any of the nearly 20 previous webinars on topics such as carbon markets, investing in Australian agriculture, COVID-19 and the impact on the agricultural sector, supply chain disruptions and the latest Global AgInvesting Rankings & Trends Report.
Connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.
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Global AgInvesting, a brand of HighQuest Group, is the world’s most well attended agricultural investment conference series and leading resource for news and insight into the global agricultural sector. www.globalaginvesting.com
VIRTUAL SUMMIT: Connecting Technology & Business To Create Healthy, Resilient Food Systems - July 23, 2020
By sharing best practice from around the globe, and facilitating new connections and collaborations, the summit offers an invaluable platform to develop new business and accelerate projects across the Indoor AgTech ecosystem
The Indoor AgTech Innovation Summit is going virtual! This year’s summit will be live online on July 23, 2020, providing an essential opportunity for the industry to meet, network, https://indooragtechnyc.com/, and exchange ideas at this critical time for our industry.
The world’s leading farm operators, food retailers, and investors will present live, before hosting virtual discussion groups on the emerging trends and technologies that will shape your business as we emerge from the current crisis into a redesigned food system:
Key Themes:
· Finding Growth in Crisis: Responding to a Rapidly Changing Food Landscape
· Scaling Up: Co-locating Food Production and Distribution Centers
· Enhancing Nutritional Value: Towards a Perfect Plant Recipe
· Optimizing Seeds for Indoor Agriculture: Breeding a Competitive Advantage
· Analytics and the Cloud: Digital Integration to Optimize Indoor Agriculture
· Robotics: Developing a Contactless Food System
· Energy Consumption: Driving Efficiency and Economic Viability
· Financing Growth: Can Capital Keep Pace with Industry Demand?
· Consumer Awareness: How to Build a “Holistic” Indoor Brand
All participants can schedule video 1-1 meetings with potential partners and clients throughout the summit, and for an extended period before and after the sessions.
By sharing best practice from around the globe, and facilitating new connections and collaborations, the summit offers an invaluable platform to develop new business and accelerate projects across the Indoor AgTech ecosystem.
Summit website: https://indooragtechnyc.com/
Registration:
- One summit pass Indoor AgTech: $195.00
- Start-Up pass: $95.00 / Please contact jamie.alexander@rethinkevents.com to enquire about the criteria to qualify for special rates.
ONLINE SUMMIT: Planet Forward. Plant Seeds of Change - July 2nd & 3rd, 2020
Join us at the Women in Agribusiness Online Summit Europe July 2 & 3 for ideas, networking and to hear what others are doing
Join us at the
Women In Agribusiness Summit Europe
July 2 & 3
For Ideas, Networking, And To Hear What Others Are Doing
Our most lofty and challenging goals cannot be achieved overnight. However, they can be attained if we start working on them right now. Some have plans in place to contribute to: No poverty, zero hunger, good health, climate action and preserving diversity of life.
Plant seeds of change now within your company, office and home. Begin growing a better planet for future generations — a planet where hunger doesn’t exist and food plays an invaluable role in sustaining individual wellness and healthy communities.
Join us July 2 & 3
Here are a few sessions to get you up on the issues and thinking about your actions...
We all share one planet, and if we all take ownership, we can make a difference and truly move it forward for a brighter, better, and greener future.
Thank You To Our Sponsors
VIRTUAL MEET UP: Women In Agribusiness - Thursday, June 18 - 5 PM CST
Join us for a WIA Virtual Meet Up, sponsored by Faegre Drinker. Connect with Women in Agribusiness from across the country to share industry insights
Join us for a WIA Virtual Meet Up, sponsored by Faegre Drinker. Connect with Women in Agribusiness from across the country to share industry insights.
RSVP via our Home Page
Virtual Meet Ups are free during this time of social distancing but space is limited.
Know someone that would benefit from a Meet Up?
Please spread the word.
Learn more about becoming a Member of Women in Agribusiness.
Please contact us if you have questions
See you there!
Women in Agribusiness Team
eventinfo@highquestgroup.com
2020 Women in Agribusiness Summit in Nashville, September 16 - 18, 2020
Early Bird Pricing Will End April 3rd
Register Now For
The 2020 Women in Agribusiness Summit in Nashville,
September 16 - 18, 2020.
Be a part of this vibrant agribusiness community where the sharing of business knowledge and industry innovations are at the forefront of helping women excel in the sector.
Our best pricing of the year is scheduled to end on Friday, April 3rd. Register now to save $300 on the conference you will be glad you attended.
Early Bird Pricing: $1099 Standard Registration
(only available until April 3, 2020)
or
Become a member!
WIA Summit Early Admission + Annual WIA Membership: $1,228.00
Students and Government rates are also available.
Register With Early Bird Pricing
Minette Batters To Deliver The Keynote Address
Minette Batters is the first female president in the 112-year history of the National Farmers' Union. She has been called the most powerful farmer in the UK. Join us as she shares her insights into one of today's most pressing agricultural issues
Minette Batters is the first female president in the 112-year history of the National Farmers' Union. She has been called the most powerful farmer in the UK. Join us as she shares her insights into one of today's most pressing agricultural issues.
"How Farming Can Help Mitigate Climate Change"
Minette Batters
President
National Farmers' Union
Farming and food are much maligned as a problem of the modern age, but it’s rarely recognized for its adaptability and phenomenal successes. For too long, farming has been on the wrong end of the climate debate, rarely recognized for its role in the carbon cycle and even more rarely recognized for the enormous potential of agriculture to deliver a range of solutions for mitigating anthropogenic carbon emissions.
The NFU has a vision for UK agriculture to have a Net Zero contribution to climate change by 2040. The NFU is optimistic about the future role of farming in producing climate-friendly food, protecting the environment and fulfilling our moral imperative to produce safe, sustainable and affordable food at home and for our customers overseas. Ms. Batters will present the NFU vision, industry action and the critical need for the government to get agricultural policy and trade policy aligned.
Women in Agribusiness Europe Agenda is Now Available
Our 2020 agenda is now available Here's a sample of the valuable industry content being featured
Our 2020 agenda is now available
Here's a sample of the valuable industry content being featured:
Farming 4.0 - Ushering in the Age of Digital Agriculture
How Farming Can Help Mitigate Climate Change
Agricultural Trade After Brexit
Reducing Food Waste
Check out the full agenda for more details.
Join us in Paris on March 9-10, 2020
Register now to get the best rate before prices increase.
Limited seating available!
Visit our website for more details
Thank you to our sponsors
Premier Women In Agribusiness Event Returns To Europe In March 2020; Meet-Up on 10 December
The Women in Agribusiness (WIA) Summit Europe will return to the EU when it convenes in Paris for the 10th Summit on 9-10 March 2020 at Les Salons Hoche
PARIS, 9 December 2019 – The Women in Agribusiness (WIA) Summit Europe will return to the EU when it convenes in Paris for the 10th Summit on 9-10 March 2020 at Les Salons Hoche.
This premier day-and-a-half conference – the perfect complement to International Women’s Day on 8 March – will feature industry knowledge for executive women in the agri-food sector, providing an in-depth examination and comprehensive discussions on the outlook and shifting indicators in the industry.
Topics, presented by expert speakers, will include:
· Reducing Food Waste for European Producers
· Farming 4.0 - Ushering in the Age of Digital Agriculture
· Innovations in Agriculture
· Gene Editing in the EU
· Executive Roundtable: A Spotlight on Senior-Level Women in Ag
“What makes us different is that the Women in Agribusiness team supports women in the ag and food industry 365 days a year. While we do host a large annual event that is known for exceptional content and networking, we also support women-owned businesses, publish a quarterly magazine, post job opportunities, give scholarships to young women, host local networking Meet Ups in over 15 cities, provide leadership training and more,” said Joy O’Shaughnessy, event director, and chief operating officer of HighQuest Group, the parent company of Women in Agribusiness. “Our events are tailored to the needs that are voiced by our women in agribusiness community, as well as the companies that want to support them.”
The annual Women in Agribusiness Summit in the U.S., which started in 2012, is renowned for annually convening close to 1,000 of the country’s female agribusiness decision-makers, with 30 percent at the CEO/executive level and another 25 percent at department management level. The latest Women in Agribusiness Summit U.S. event, held in Minneapolis, Minn., in September 2019, welcomed attendees from eight countries and 43 U.S. states, with representatives from 267 companies.
Women in Agribusiness Summit Europe debuted in Barcelona, Spain, in February 2015, which was an intimate gathering praised by an executive from a food and beverage multinational company in attendance for being “a solutions-oriented event that also brought up current trends in the market” and “a uniquely-focused agricultural event for women”.
Potential attendees can learn more about the event in Paris and start networking early by attending the next WIA Meet Up, which will be held from 17:30 to 19:00 on 10 December in London at the Great Central Bar and Restaurant at the Landmark Hotel London. Attendance is free for WIA Members, and $20 for non-members. Register for the Meet Up or become a member at https://www.womeninageurope.com/events.
Learn more about the Women in Agribusiness Summit Europe at www.womeninageurope.com, or follow us at @Womeninagri, on Facebook and LinkedIn. Register for the event with a 10% discount using promo code: PARIS20.
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About Women in Agribusiness
Women in Agribusiness is a business unit of HighQuest Group, a global agribusiness consulting, events and media firm, based north of Boston, Mass., USA. The Women in Agribusiness initiative took root in 2012, with the first conference held in New Orleans. WIA initiatives have grown to include the WIA Membership, WIA Demeter Award of Excellence, Scholarships, and the WIA Quarterly Journal. Learn more at www.womeninag.com.