Impact Ag Partners: Company Profile

Background

Overview

Impact Ag Partners is a specialist agricultural investment and development firm dedicated to integrating regenerative farming practices with natural capital monetization. Established in 2010, the company operates across Australia and North America, focusing on sustainable agriculture that delivers both environmental and financial benefits.

Mission and Vision

The firm's mission is to lead the market in identifying, optimizing, and monetizing natural capital for agriculture, aiming to drive a global transition towards nature-positive farming systems. Their vision centers on creating ecosystems where farming and nature thrive together, ensuring long-term productivity and environmental stewardship.

Industry Significance

Impact Ag Partners plays a pivotal role in the agricultural sector by pioneering the integration of regenerative practices with natural capital markets. Their approach not only enhances soil health and biodiversity but also offers investors diversified returns through ecosystem services such as carbon credits and biodiversity offsets.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

• Regenerative Agriculture: Implementing practices that restore soil health, increase biodiversity, and improve water retention.

• Natural Capital Monetization: Developing revenue streams from ecosystem services like carbon sequestration and biodiversity credits.

• Sustainable Investment: Attracting capital to fund sustainable agricultural projects that yield both financial returns and environmental benefits.

Areas of Specialization

• Investment Management: Raising and deploying capital to acquire and develop agricultural assets using regenerative practices.

• Asset Management: Operating farms and ranches to optimize production and natural capital value.

• Advisory Services: Providing strategic guidance to businesses on integrating nature-positive objectives into their operations.

Key Technologies Utilized

• The Impact Ag Green Box: A proprietary toolkit that combines decades of expertise in asset management and natural capital to drive impact for nature and profit.

Primary Markets Targeted

• Agricultural Investors: Institutional investors and family offices seeking sustainable and profitable agricultural assets.

• Agribusinesses: Companies aiming to integrate regenerative practices and natural capital into their operations.

• Policy Makers and NGOs: Organizations focused on promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

Impact Ag Partners has successfully raised and deployed over $600 million AUD across Australia and North America. Their funding strategy includes partnerships with global private equity and fund managers to scale regenerative agriculture initiatives.

Recent Funding Rounds

In September 2023, Impact Ag Partners partnered with SLM Partners to launch the SLM Agri Carbon Fund, aiming to invest in regenerative agriculture and carbon storage in Australia. This joint venture combines the expertise of both firms to scale up low-carbon farming systems.

Notable Investors

• SLM Partners: Collaborated with Impact Ag Partners to launch the SLM Agri Carbon Fund.

• Riverstone Holdings: Partnered with Impact Ag Partners to accelerate agriculture’s transition to a decarbonized, nature-positive future.

Utilization of Capital

The capital raised is primarily utilized for:

• Acquisition and Development: Purchasing and enhancing agricultural assets using regenerative practices.

• Operational Expansion: Implementing regenerative farming techniques and natural capital projects.

• Market Expansion: Entering new markets and scaling existing operations to meet growing demand for sustainable agriculture.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

Impact Ag Partners manages a diverse portfolio of agricultural assets, including:

• Beef and Sheep Operations: Implementing regenerative grazing practices to improve soil health and livestock productivity.

• Cropping Systems: Transitioning to regenerative cropping methods to enhance soil fertility and yield resilience.

• Permanent Tree Crops: Developing sustainable orchards that integrate biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

Stages of Development

• Acquisition: Identifying and acquiring suitable agricultural properties.

• Transition: Implementing regenerative practices and natural capital projects.

• Optimization: Enhancing operational efficiency and profitability through sustainable methods.

Target Conditions

• Soil Health: Improving soil fertility and structure.

• Biodiversity: Enhancing species diversity and ecosystem resilience.

• Carbon Sequestration: Capturing atmospheric carbon to mitigate climate change.

Anticipated Milestones

• Short-Term: Successful implementation of regenerative practices on newly acquired assets.

• Medium-Term: Achieving measurable improvements in soil health and biodiversity.

• Long-Term: Generating significant revenue from natural capital markets and establishing a leading position in sustainable agriculture.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

• The Impact Ag Green Box: A comprehensive toolkit that integrates regenerative farming practices with natural capital monetization strategies, providing a structured approach to sustainable agriculture.

Significant Scientific Methods

• Holistic Planned Grazing: A livestock management strategy that mimics natural grazing patterns to improve soil health and biodiversity.

• Reduced Tillage: Minimizing soil disturbance to enhance soil structure and carbon sequestration.

• Cover Cropping: Planting crops that protect and enrich the soil during off-season periods.

• Integration of Livestock with Grain Rotations: Combining livestock and crop production to optimize land use and nutrient cycling.

Leadership Team

Executive Profiles

• Bert Glover – Founder and CEO

With over 30 years of experience in agricultural production and investment, Bert leads Impact Ag Partners' operations in North America. He co-founded agricultural management software company Maia Technology and serves on the board of several agricultural businesses.

• Zach Jones – Senior Vice President and COO

A fifth-generation Montana rancher, Zach has over 15 years of experience in holistic and regenerative management across U.S. and New Zealand assets. He co-founded and manages U.S.-based land asset businesses for Impact Ag Partners.

• Jacob Carter – Co-Chief Investment Officer

Jacob brings extensive experience in institutional agricultural investments, overseeing sourcing, due diligence, management, and optimization of orchards, farms, and ranchland assets for Impact Ag Partners.

• Hugh Killen – Managing Director & CEO (Australia)

With over 25 years in global food and agriculture leadership, Hugh guides Impact Ag Partners' Australian operations, focusing on environmental and social impact alongside profit growth.

• Toby Grogan – Chief Operations Officer (Australia)

Toby drives nature-positive investments across Impact Ag Partners' managed assets, implementing regenerative transition strategies and optimizing agricultural and natural assets.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The sustainable agriculture sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing demand for environmentally responsible farming practices and natural capital monetization. Investors are seeking opportunities that offer both financial returns and positive environmental impacts.

Competitor Analysis

• SLM Partners: A global real assets investment manager with over $550 million in assets under management, focusing on regenerative agriculture and carbon storage.

• Agri-Impact Limited: A Ghana-based agribusiness development organization operating across more than 30 African countries, recognized for its role in agricultural value-chain development and technology-driven agribusiness innovation.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Impact Ag Partners has formed strategic alliances to enhance its market position and innovation capacity:

• SLM Agri Carbon Fund: A joint venture with SLM Partners to invest in regenerative agriculture and carbon storage in Australia, combining expertise to scale low-carbon farming systems.

• Riverstone Holdings: Partnered to accelerate agriculture’s transition to a decarbonized, nature-positive future, leveraging technical knowledge and a top-tier management team.

Operational Insights

Impact Ag Partners differentiates itself through its proprietary Impact Ag Green Box, a unique toolkit