Rockefeller Foundation To Invest In Regenerative Organic Farming

The Rockefeller Foundation has joined early investors in Mad Capital’s Perennial Fund II (PFII), a $50 million initiative aimed at transforming U.S. agriculture by providing tailored loans to farmers transitioning to regenerative organic practices.

Building on the success of its previous funds, Mad Capital’s PFII seeks to finance over 150,000 acres of farmland and partner with more than 50 farming families. Brandon Welch, co-founder and CEO of Mad Capital, emphasized the fund’s goal of bridging the gap between Wall Street and organic farmers, highlighting the importance of capital access in fostering sustainable food systems.

Currently, only 1% of U.S. farmland is certified organic, compared to nearly 10% in the EU, with the primary barrier being a lack of access to suitable financing. Traditional financial institutions often lack the understanding and products necessary to support regenerative organic farmers said Maria Kozloski, Senior Vice President of Innovative Finance and Economic Equity at The Rockefeller Foundation

Since its launch in 2019, Mad Capital has deployed over $25 million to 30 farmers, aiding the transition of more than 10,500 acres to organic practices. The PFII is a significant step towards Mad Capital’s ambitious goal of financing 5,000,000 acres of regenerative organic farmland by 2032, aiming to meet the growing consumer demand for sustainable food and fiber.