RFSI Canada 2024 | Regenerative Food Systems Investment

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Regenerative Food Systems Investment Canada

Virtual Event - December 10, 2024
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PST | 12:00-3:30 p.m. EST

stock photo - copy - copy

Regenerative Food Systems Investment Canada

Virtual Event - December 10, 2024
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PST | 12:00-3:30 p.m. EST

Agenda | Speakers | Case Studies | Sponsor | Register

Be Part of the Inaugural RFSI Canada Event!

A free, half-day, virtual convening to catalyze connections and capital for the transition to more resilient agriculture and food systems in Canada.

Building on the success and impact of the Regenerative Food Systems Investment* (RFSI) events in the U.S. and Europe, the RFSI Canada Virtual Event will convene diverse investors, funders, farmers, processors, food brands and many other critical food systems stakeholders to learn about, build strategic relationships around, and move capital towards agriculture and food systems transformation.

The imperative to shift agricultural and food production systems away from extraction and toward restoration and regeneration has never been stronger. Farmers, supply chains, and brands are starting to feel the negative impacts of climate change and decades of soil and environmental degradation. Many are already seeking new paths forward to manage these risks. Farmers are experimenting with changes in production practices, for example, and multinational food corporations are exploring how to address scope 3 emissions while managing increasing supply chain risk. It’s happening around the world, and it’s happening in Canada.

However, the current ways of doing agriculture and food are deeply ingrained in conventional and extractive models, and are intricately intertwined with other systems, such as finance and policy – all of which can inhibit one’s ability to change. A systemic approach to transformation – and to funding this transformation – is necessary, to reduce the risk and increase chances of success. This presents an opportunity!

All registrants will be invited to listen in, learn, and participate in the December 10th program, plus receive access to the recording after the event.

This inaugural convening aims to:

Lay the foundation for a systemic approach to investing in agriculture and food systems transformation in Canada.
Build a more engaged and collaborative ecosystem between Canadian regenerative food stakeholders and the domestic and international investment community.
Showcase a diversity of projects already happening across Canada via written and live case studies.
Introduce domestic and international investors to opportunities for investment in the Canadian regenerative food system ecosystem.

Topics to be covered include:

Canada’s unique agriculture and food landscape
The investment case for regenerative agriculture and food systems and what it means to take a systems approach
Fascinating case studies of those already working on transformation – from farm to consumer to financier – and what each sees as barriers and opportunities
The role diverse forms of capital can play in enabling systems change and how they can work together to fund project life-cycles and entire landscapes
And much more!

<AGENDA ANCHOR>

AGENDA

Day One

December 10

RFSI CANADA AGENDA

9-12:30 PM PT || 10-1:30 PM MT || 11-2:30 PM CT || 12-3:30 PM ET

*****

9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. ET

Welcome

9:10 a.m. PT / 12:10 p.m. ET

The Canadian Opportunity

Darren Baccus, Farm Credit Canada & Kira Gerwing, Sacha Investments

Framing the imperative for transformation in Canada’s agriculture and food system.

9:25 a.m. PT /
12:25 p.m. ET

Panel: From Soil to Supermarket – Perspectives from the Field

Derek & Tannis Axten, Axten Farms; Ran Goel, Mama Earth

In this journey through the agriculture and food supply chain, attendees will get a closer look through the eyes of key stakeholders – from farmer to food retailer – at the opportunities for and barriers to food systems transformation in Canada.

10:10 a.m. PT /
1:10 p.m. ET

The Investment Case & Why We Need a Systemic Approach

Eoin Callan, Bloom Impact Capital; Andrew Heintzman, InvestEco Capital; Sally Miller, Fair Finance Fund;

Agriculture and food systems are uniquely interconnected with each other and many systems around them – ecological, financial, political, and healthcare being the most prominent. Consequently, investment into agriculture and food transformation can not be done without consideration of these surrounding systems.

10:40 a.m. PT /
1:40 p.m. ET

Reflection

10:50 a.m. PT /
1:50 p.m. ET

Innovative Financial Infrastructure to Enable Transition

Graeme Millen, Farm Credit Canada; Adam Spence, SVX; Ilse Treurnicht, TwinRiver Capital

Capital is an essential lever to enable the transition across the system – from farm, through the supply chain, all the way to consumer. But in order to invest for transformational outcomes, the capital stack and infrastructure used to enable participation has to be different than what has been used in the past.

11:30 a.m. PT /
2:30 p.m. ET

Group Work & Reflection

11:40 a.m. PT /
2:40 p.m. ET

Panel: Investing Strategically, Collaboratively, and Inclusively in Systems Change

Amanda Jekums, Global Alliance for the Future of Food; Paul LeComte, Le FIRA; Wayne Miranda, Definity Foundation

The complexity of agriculture and food systems require a systems approach to investing in change. A diverse group of investors and systems builders will dig into:
– The opportunity they see in Canadian agriculture and food
– The strategies and portfolios they are building to take on transformation
– How they define success, impact, and the returns they expect to see… and when
– Advice they might give to others as they explore the space

12:20 p.m. PT /
3:20 p.m. ET

Closing Thoughts: What Comes Next

12:30 p.m. PT /
3:30 p.m. ET

Program Concludes

<SPEAKERS ANCHOR>

SPEAKERS

The first look at our speakers. Stay tuned for the full line-up!

Derek Axten’s journey is one of innovation and openness to new ideas which have transformed his family farm into a model of regenerative agriculture. By embracing practices like no-till farming, intercropping, cover cropping and seeding pollinator boundaries, there has been an improvement in soil health on their farm. By nourishing the soil, they have reduced synthetic inputs, improved water efficiency and boosted organic matter content. Axten Farms is not just focused on crop production but also the broader ecosystem of their farm. Derek and his family have built a food-grade seed cleaning plant, flour mill and packaging line on their farm to add value to their grains. Their farm’s goal is to directly access markets and cater to food companies that appreciate their farming practices. When consumers purchase Axten Farms flour or products made with their flour, they are investing in their health and the health of the ecosystem.

Derek AxtenAxten Farms

Tannis AxtenAxten Farms

Darren brings more than 25 years of diverse global investment experience to FCC, having held a variety of senior executive roles at provincial and federal Crown corporation investment organizations. He started his career as an attorney with Torys LLP after graduating from the University of Manitoba. Prior to joining FCC, Darren was a co-founder of a U.S.-based farmland investment firm that acquired operating farmland alongside grower partners, with a business plan of transitioning management practices from conventional to regenerative. Having lived in five Canadian provinces in addition to New York, Darren and his family support a variety of charitable initiatives throughout communities they’ve called home. These include the University of Winnipeg Foundation and the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Darren BaccusFarm Credit Canada | Executive Vice-President, Agri-Food, Alliances and FCC Capital

Eoin Callan is Managing Director of Bloom Impact Capital, which recently launched the Bloom Local Food Fund, an impact fund that invests in action on nature, climate, and community with a thematic focus on food system transformation and regenerative agriculture. Eoin helped found Catalyst Community Finance, which supports the start-up and scale-up of community finance organizations in Canada, and oversees a community loan fund and place-based equity fund. Eoin was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan, where he served on the investment committee of the $100-billion fund. He also served on the staff of an international think tank and was the Economics Correspondent for the Financial Times in Washington, DC - and has been a guest analyst on the BBC, CNBC, NBC, CNN, CBC, and Fox.

Eoin CallanBloom Impact Capital | Managing Director

Kira brings compassionate and strategic leadership to change systems that drive how we own, steward, and develop land. In her role as Chief Real Estate Investment Officer for Sacha Investments Ltd, she sources impact investment opportunities in affordable housing, regenerative organic agriculture, and eco-forestry for Western Canada. She has a master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning and 20 years of practice at the City of Vancouver and Vancity Credit Union. Kira is a founding board member of the Metro Vancouver Zero Emissions Innovation Centre. She has a passion for finding creative ways to realise everyone’s fundamental right to flourish. She also loves downhill skiing, cooking, and riding her bike to get around the city.

Kira GerwingSacha Investments Ltd | Chief Real Estate Investment Officer

Ran is the CEO of Mama Earth organics, Ontario's largest independent online grocer. They focus on local and sustainable fresh groceries. He proudly leads a team of 130 staff to better the world through food. Before becoming a good food entrepreneur, Ran practiced investment law in New York City for several years. He serves on the boards of the Greenbelt Foundation and Shoresh.

Ran GoelMama Earth | CEO

Andrew Heintzman is a Managing Partner and co-founder of InvestEco Capital. Andrew sits on a number of corporate boards, including Maple Hill Creamery, Le Grand and Mara Renewables. Andrew is also a director of the WayWay Foundation and The Natural Step Canada. He is the author of The New Entrepreneurs: Building a Green Economy for the Future, published by The House of Anansi Press. Andrew has a BA and an MA from McGill University

Andrew HeintzmanInvestEco | Managing Partner

Amanda Jekums is a Senior Program Manager at the Global Alliance for the Future of Food. She manages multiple program areas, with a focus on identifying and enhancing systemic opportunities and outcomes. Amanda's diverse education and expertise – which spans across nutrition, food systems, policy, economics, and design – allows her to naturally find creative solutions to complex issues. In her early days at the Global Alliance she led the development of a True Cost Accounting implementation guidance framework. This continues to inform and inspire her approach which focuses on the intersections of agriculture, health, climate, and livelihoods. Amanda is a resourceful strategist, with over 15 years of experience accelerating the work of public and non-profit institutions by helping them to effectively leverage their knowledge, resources, and networks to achieve more sustainable and equitable outcomes. When she's not at work you can be sure to find her somewhere in the lakes or mountains of Vancouver Island.

Amanda JekumsGlobal Alliance for the Future of Food | Senior Program Manager

Holder of a bachelor's degree in agronomy from Université Laval, M. Lecomte has extensive experience in the agricultural and agri-food sectors. Managing Director, Investment Fund for Agricultural Succession, Lecomte was also an account manager at Farm Finance Canada, then Senior Director of the Agricultural Market at the Desjardins Business Financial Centre of the South Coast. In 2010, he was Senior Director of Business Development at the Desjardins Financial Centre of Bécancour-Nicolet-Yamaska.

Paul LeComteLe FIRA | Managing Director

Graeme MillenFarm Credit Canada | VP of Business Development & Ecosystem Support

Wayne Miranda is the Director of Social Finance & Impact Investing at Definity Foundation. Wayne's background is in impact investing and social finance ecosystem building working from the private, public, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors. Wayne’s passion is to mobilize capital for a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.

Wayne MirandaDefinity Foundation | Director of Social Finance & Impact Investing

Robert has twenty years experience in corporate finance and accounting, with a focus on developing and supporting impact companies in their growth. Robert brings expertise in financing and raising capital to Cascadia Seaweed Corp where he has led all financing rounds up to Series A. Robert has completed over 100 deals across various industries, including climatech, real estate, finance, manufacturing, and distribution. Robert was Co-Founder and Vice President of First West Capital, a mezzanine and equity financing company with offices across Canada, and lead the business to $150 million in financings. Robert is a Past President of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) BC Chapter, the middle market deal association for corporate finance and M&A professionals and is a CPA-CA in Canada and Australia. He holds Honours Degrees in Commerce and Law from Monash University, Australia.

Robert NapoliCascadia Seaweed Corp | Chief Financial Officer

Adam Spence is the CEO, Co-Founder and Director of SVX and Managing Director of Bloom Local Food Fund. Adam helped startup VERGE Capital, Bloom Impact Capital, the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing, B Lab Canada, the MaRS Catalyst Fund (now Amplify Capital), and the School for Social Entrepreneurs – Ontario. He was Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) and he led a number of higher education and training organizations. Adam has spoken to audiences across the country and around the world on issues related to education, poverty, and impact investing and he has been featured in numerous media outlets, including CNN, TVO, CTV, CBC Television and Radio, BNN, Forbes, GlobalTV, the Toronto Star, the Financial Post, and the Globe & Mail. Adam has been involved in the national and global impact investing ecosystem for over 15 years, with on-the-ground experience working in impact investing in Canada, the US, and Latin America. He has advised hundreds of organizations including governments, foundations, families, corporations, entrepreneurs, and funds on their impact investing strategies, helping to launch over a dozen impact investing products in Canada and across the Americas. Adam has also worked in food systems for over two decades with food banks, farmers, food manufacturers, financial institutions, impact funds, and entrepreneurs seeking to advancing sustainability, security and sovereignty. Adam is a recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Gold Medal, he was named one of McMaster University’s 125 People of Impact, an honour given to McMaster staff and alumni who have made the greatest impact over the past 125 years, and in 2014 Adam was named one of Seven Canadians Thinking Big by the Toronto Star.

Adam SpenceSVX | CEO, Co-Founder and Director

Kevin TaylorSVX | Vice President

Ilse TreurnichtTwinRiver Capital | Managing Partner

Andre Ticoulat is a Research & Investment Associate at the TransCap Initiative and works across a number of diverse projects - from research to client-facing asset advisory and methodological development. He is driven to work for a more equitable, sustainable and humane world. Andre works from the assumption that humanity is facing unprecedented, complex challenges and believes a fundamental mindset and behavioural shift is required to nudge systems toward positive transformations. Academically, he has dedicated his research to behavioural economics, through studies that investigate the impact of economic policy on social dynamics. Andre has a BA in Economics and International Relations from the University of British Columbia and holds certificates in Circular Economy and Bio-Economy from Delft and Wageningen Universities. He has previous work experience as an investment advisor, public equities trader and in venture capital.

Andre TicoulatTransCap Initiative | Research & Investment Associate

Jay Watson serves on the Global Impact Leadership team and is responsible for efforts to advance progress on General Mills' 10 global impact commitments, including the 2030 regenerative agriculture commitment and ambition. In his role, Jay leads a team that collaborates with farmers, farm advisors, NGOs, researchers, suppliers, retailers, and gov’t agencies to deploy programs that build capacity for agricultural systems to deliver positive outcomes for ecosystems and communities in prioritized landscapes & jurisdictions. Prior to his first agricultural sustainability role in 2016, Jay spent 10 years in a variety of buying roles within the company’s global sourcing organization. Jay and his wife Christel of 15 years live in Minneapolis, Minnesota with their two children, and serve their county as licensed foster parents for children in need. He enjoys family bike rides, jogging around the neighborhood lake, volunteering with kid sports and activities, and traveling with family and friends.

Jay WatsonGeneral Mills | Director, Regenerative Agriculture | Global Impact Team

<CASESTUDY ANCHOR>

CANADA CASE STUDIES

Learn about the incredible work already being done in Canada’s agriculture, food, and finance systems with a series of transformational case studies.

Case Study #1 features Le FIRA, a unique financial firm in the province of Quebec that has found an impactful way to pave an easier path to farm ownership for new farmers. Learn about the fund’s journey to creating new financing mechanisms to meet farmers’ unique needs.

Download the Le FIRA Case Study here.

Case Study #2 features Harvest to Gather, a family of businesses in the southern Ontario region that work together to provide an integrated sustainable food supply system for small and medium scale producers.

Download the Harvest to Gather Case Study here.

Case Study #3 features Axten Farms, multi-generational, vertically integrated family farm in Saskatchewan that is on the leading edge of growing healthy regenerative ancient grains and producing healthy flours. Learn about their journey into new markets, the gaps that hold them back, and opportunities to invest in solutions.

Download the Axten Farms Case Study here.

Stay tuned as we continue to release more case studies in the coming weeks!

Thank You to Our Lead Sponsor

The Canadian Centre for Food & Ecology (CCFE) is a national non-profit dedicated to building demand for regeneratively grown foods by helping consumers make conscious food decisions that are good both for themselves and the planet.

Additional thanks to these partners:

Axten Farms
Bloom Impact Capital
Boann Social Impact
Cascadia Seaweed
Definity Foundation
Fair Finance Fund
Farm Credit Canada
Genus Capital
Holistic Management Canada
InvestEco
Mama Earth
Manitoba Forage and Grasslands association
Nature Investment Hub

Nicola Wealth Private Giving Foundation
Pollination
Regeneration Canada
Renewal Funds
Sacha Investments Ltd
Scale Collaborative
Spring Impact Capital
SVX
TwinRiver Capital
University of Victoria (Impact Investing Hub, Environmental Institute)
Verdex Capital
World Wildlife Fund
Young Agrarians

Become a Sponsor