A new report from the Croatan Institute, Delta Institute, and OARS, entitled “Soil Wealth: Investing in Regenerative Agriculture across Asset Classes,” has identified regenerative agriculture as a major investment opportunity throughout the United States.
The interest in regenerative food systems and agricultural practices has been growing in the investment community, according to the report. Identifying methods of investing in regenerative agriculture that can help mitigate climate change, improve soil health, and bolster rural communities, the report concludes that investors hoping to improve “soil wealth” for themselves and their society have a variety of methods and opportunities of doing so.
Key Findings
- Investors and stakeholders are able to build “soil wealth,” defined as the benefits associated with improving soil health and increasing rural wealth through regenerative agriculture, by engaging with regenerative capital opportunities.
- By leveraging capital on farms and related regenerative industries, the positive impact of regenerative agriculture can be advanced significantly.
- To date, there have been more than $320 billion in investments that focus on sustainable food and agriculture, with $47.5 billion explicitly targeting regenerative agriculture.
- The report identifies 67 distinct opportunities for further development capital in regenerative agriculture.
- Farmland, cash, and fixed income were identified as investments most suited for rapid regenerative development, due in large part to role of financial institution in financing farms and businesses in rural communities.
This report underscores the universality of regenerative agriculture and its relevance beyond the farming and food system space. As shown, there are a variety of opportunities for those not involved in the agricultural sector to support the health of our planet.
See the ways Rodale Institute is working to bring the benefits of regenerative agriculture across the globe with our Regenerative Organic Certification, groundbreaking research, and support for transitioning farmers.
“Soil Wealth” stems from a Conservation Innovation Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service, focused on finding innovative mechanisms for financing regenerative agriculture. Rodale Institute is a partner in this grant.
Read the full report here