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EU repeals regenerative agriculture policy, MAD Capital announces $50M Perennial Fund, EIT food launches regeneration food portfolio, and First Milk increases their premium for regenerative farmers.
This Week in Regenerative Agriculture
Wednesday, March 20
For the last five months, we’ve been working with Why Regenerative to organize RegenerativeNYC, a conference on April 22, 2024, in New York City for industry professionals, startups, academics, and farmers to engage with the latest developments in the space. Get tickets here.
1. A Disappointing Step Back for Europe’s Regenerative Farming Initiative
The European Commission is finalizing proposals to dilute environmental standards for farmers, including making biodiversity land set-asides voluntary -- a move contrary to scientific advice for combating climate change. This policy shift aims to ease farmer protests over environmental regulations but risks undermining years of progress toward sustainable farming within the Common Agricultural Policy, which allocates a third of the EU budget to agriculture. Greenpeace and the European Environment Agency warn that reducing these environmental protections for short-term political gains could have long-lasting negative impacts on the continent's agriculture and climate resilience.
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2. Mad Capital Targets $50M to Revolutionize U.S. Agriculture
Colorado-based Mad Capital has launched Perennial Fund II, aiming to gather $50 million to provide loans for U.S. farmers transitioning to regenerative and organic agriculture, with substantial early support from the Rockefeller Foundation, Builders Vision, and other notable investors. The fund addresses a critical gap in access to capital for regenerative farmers, amid a growing $1.7 trillion private credit industry, focusing on regenerative practices overlooked by traditional lenders.
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3. Europe Launches €30 Million Regenerative Agriculture Initiative to Transform Food Systems
A coalition led by European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Food announced the Regenerative Innovation Portfolio, a €30 million project designed to revolutionize regenerative agriculture across Europe, aiming to integrate various stakeholders including governments, investors, and retailers, is set to receive €15 million from EIT Food and an expected matching from corporate partners.
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4. First Milk Increases Premium For Regenerative Farmers
First Milk, a leading UK dairy processor, has announced a .75 pence per liter increase in milk prices for April 2024, raising the premium price it pays to members by .39 pence per liter, alongside the launch of an innovative variable regenerative bonus to reward farmers for adopting regenerative farming practices. The new bonus, explained by Vice-Chairman Mike Smith, builds on the company's existing .5 pence regenerative bonus to farmers for completing a regenerative farming plan.
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5. Blackwood Educational Land Institute Educates the Next Generations of Farmers in Regenerative Agriculture
On their 33-acre farm outside Houston, Texas, the Blackwood Educational Land Institute pioneers education that immerses youth in regenerative agricultural practices, and offers diverse programs such as field trips, farm schools, and nature camps designed to foster sustainable food sourcing knowledge. Their farm philosophy claims a 40 percent increase in nutritional value over conventional produce.
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Venture of the Week
Groundbreaking Organizations.
Zero Foodprint: Collective Food Action
Born in the Bay Area restaurant community, Zero works to collectively unite stakeholders in regenerative agriculture, provide resources to farmers, and actively engage consumers on the benefits of regen. As recipients of the James Beard Humanitarian Award, the company has an incredible network of sustainable food producers.
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This Week In Regenerative Agriculture is published by Why Regenerative. It is compiled by Jackson Baris, with ChatGPT, and edited by Jeff Stark. Sign up for our newsletter here.