Funding the Future of Agriculture: FarmTogether Enrolls 100% of its Acres in Leading Harvest's Sustainable Farmland Management Standard

FarmTogether embraces new standards in agriculture by implementing a sustainable farmland management policy across its portfolio, enabling investors to positively impact the planet and future communities while earning strong returns in the process.

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FarmTogether

Jan 05, 2021, 08:00 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- FarmTogether, the technology-powered, online marketplace providing investors with direct access to farmland ownership, today announced that it has committed 100% of its acres to certify to the Leading Harvest Farmland Management Standard, the first scalable, industry-wide standard paving the way for universal sustainable farmland management. FarmTogether's commitment to Leading Harvest advances its efforts to prioritize long-term stewardship for both its investors and future generations.

Leading Harvest's standard certification program provides the framework for simple and widespread adoption of sustainable farmland management through a set of meaningful, certifiable, and measurable stewardship results. The outcomes-based program, which can be applied across all crops and geographies, covers Thirteen Objectives spanning the environmental, social, and economic issues facing Earth today–ranging from soil health, energy use, air quality, water management, and fair labor, to reducing impacts on climate change. Each Objective consists of Performance Measures and Indicators that provide specific guidance for reporting and compliance, certified through a rigorous, third-party auditing process.

"FarmTogether recognizes the enormous potential of sustainable farmland management practices. After years of careful consideration, research, and broad stakeholder engagement, Leading Harvest has created a standard that encapsulates the breadth and depth of measurable sustainable farmland management practices," said David Chan, COO of FarmTogether. "We are excited to partner with a thought leader like Leading Harvest to advance the adoption of sustainable agriculture."

With the global population expected to hit an all-time peak of 9.7 billion by 2050, farmers are experiencing stark increases in the demand for food. With limited arable land and the progression of climate change threatening the traditional supply of natural resources, the challenge to feed a growing population is exacerbated. However, research shows that through effective farmland management and by utilizing sustainable approaches and regenerative farming, farm operations could double or triple their yields without clearing additional acreage.

FarmTogether embraces sustainable farmland management and making long-term, positive changes to the planet and future communities. By directly investing in farmland with FarmTogether, investors are funding innovative and sustainable farming practices and driving real solutions to climate change while earning strong returns in the process.

"Leading Harvest provides programs that offer a more rational, credible, and scalable approach to sustainability assurance and verification. We are thrilled to partner with organizations, like FarmTogether, that are at the leading edge of agricultural sustainability and represent new models for the future of the industry," said Kenny Fahey, Executive Director of Leading Harvest. "FarmTogether's commitment to technology-enabled investing that creates financial returns through sustainable management demonstrates that economic, social, and environmental outcomes go hand-in-hand."

To learn more about FarmTogether and its current properties, please visit farmtogether.com.

About FarmTogether

FarmTogether is a technology-powered, online marketplace that enables individuals to invest in U.S. farmland. The company has developed an end-to-end platform that allows investors to browse carefully vetted farmland investments, review due diligence materials, invest in properties, and sign legal documents, all in a secure online environment. FarmTogether's team and partners are cross-industry professionals with over 70 years of experience across farmland investing, agriculture, and real estate in the U.S. and globally.

About Leading Harvest

Leading Harvest is a new nonprofit organization at the vanguard of sustainable agriculture. It launched in April of 2020 with over 2 million U.S. acres committed to its platform. Leading Harvest's inaugural product is a first-ever universal outcomes-based certification program. It verifies that farmland is being managed sustainably through outcomes-based evidence and third-party audits. For Leading Harvest, sustainability means best-in-class performance across all environmental, social, and economic issues, from soil health to climate change, from community well-being to safe and fair working conditions for farm laborers. Leading Harvest offers solutions to grow confidently, together.

CONTACT: Rebecca Bauer, [email protected]

SOURCE FarmTogether