Stemilt Growers and Farmland LP have entered into a joint venture to expand organic apple and cherry production in Washington’s Columbia Basin. This partnership reflects the shared commitment of both organizations to regenerative agriculture, premium fruit quality, and long-term land stewardship, and it marks an important milestone for Fund III.

Details on the Joint Venture

The joint venture includes 989 acres across seven apple and cherry orchards in one of North America’s most productive tree fruit regions. Of this acreage, 311 acres are already certified organic, and 272 are transitioning to organic. Over the coming years, more than 580 acres will be certified organic, strengthening the supply of high-value fruit while building long-term soil health through regenerative farming practices.

Why We Partnered with Stemilt

Stemilt is one of the nation’s leading organic tree fruit companies, with a vertically integrated platform that spans orchard management, post-harvest logistics, and national retail distribution. Founded in 1964, the family-owned company has been at the forefront of sustainable and organic farming practices since 1989.

By combining Farmland LP’s regenerative farmland investment model with Stemilt’s operating expertise and retail relationships, this partnership ensures aligned incentives from the soil to the supermarket shelf. Together, we are enhancing price stability, fruit quality, and early-stage revenue visibility for Fund III.

What It Means for Fund III

For Fund III investors, this joint venture demonstrates our ability to:

Secure high-quality permanent crop assets at compelling valuations.
Expand regional diversification with a strategic foothold in central Washington.
Deliver long-term value creation through organic transition and regenerative management.
Partner with best-in-class operators whose scale and market access reduce risk and accelerate growth.

This is the third investment in Fund III, following Riverwood Farm in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and our award-winning Delta Acres acquisition in California’s San Joaquin Delta. Together, these investments bring the Fund III portfolio to more than 4,700 acres across key West Coast regions.

What Happens Next

The orchards are now under Stemilt’s management, with Farmland LP overseeing land use, organic transition, and regenerative standards. Development plans include bringing additional acreage into organic production over the next several years and replanting select blocks with high-flavor, organic-ready varieties.

Fund III remains open to new commitments through March 31, 2026. If you’d like to learn more about Fund III or our partnership with Stemilt, please contact us at irteam@farmlandlp.com.

]]> https://www.farmlandlp.com/2025/09/stemilt-growers-and-farmland-lp-launch-joint-venture/feed/ 0 https://www.farmlandlp.com/2025/05/trade-tariff-labor-immigration-policy-impact-agriculture/ Fri, 02 May 2025 18:17:51 +0000 https://www.farmlandlp.com/?p=7007

Event Details

Wednesday, June 09, 2025
1:30 PM PT / 4:30 PM ET
Live via Zoom
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wcM4NixiSIaer3zPDv2KHA#/registration

Trade volatility. Labor pressure. Policy uncertainty. Agriculture sits at the center of it all in 2025, but what’s actually happening in the field, and what might happen next?

Join Craig Wichner (Founder of Farmland LP) and Dr. Bruce Sherrick (Director of the TIAA Center for Farmland Research at the University of Illinois) for a live fireside chat on how shifting trade and immigration policy reshapes U.S. agriculture operationally and economically.

Together, they’ll discuss:

• What real-time decisions farmers are making in response to tariffs and labor policy
• How to distinguish short-term disruptions from long-term structural shifts
• Why some production systems are holding up better than others
• What investors should watch as the policy environment continues to evolve

Combining firsthand operational data with decades of farmland policy and investment research, this conversation will help investors and advisors better understand where agriculture is headed and how to position themselves around it.

Join us to explore what policy shifts mean at the farm level—and how operators are responding in real time.

Farmland LP Wins Agri Investor Awards: What This Means for Investors

Farmland LP is proud to announce that we have been named Farmland Fund Manager of the Year—Americas and awarded Runner-Up for Farmland Deal of the Year—Americas by Agri Investor. This recognition validates our steadfast commitment to soil health and regenerative agriculture since our founding in 2009.

Why This Matters

The Agri Investor Awards recognize the best in global agricultural investment, highlighting firms demonstrating innovation, impact, and performance. Winning these awards affirms our unique value-add strategy: acquiring conventional farmland in great growing regions, converting it to organic and regenerative agriculture, and actively managing the land to maximize productivity and long-term land value appreciation.

Proven Performance in Farmland Investment

Our ability to transition farmland from conventional to organic while implementing regenerative practices has driven:

• Higher farm income – Revenue per acre has increased significantly post-transition.
• Land appreciation – Properties in our funds have demonstrated above-market value growth.
• Resilience and long-term viability – Organic and regenerative farming enhances soil health, conserves water, and reduces cost and reliance on synthetic inputs.

Award-Winning Farmland Deal: San Joaquin Delta Acquisition

One of the reasons for our recognition was our strategic acquisition of three farms in the San Joaquin Delta. These properties were historically conventional almond farms, and our plan to convert them to organic production while introducing new select crops positions them for long-term growth. The deal was structured to maximize returns while enhancing environmental benefits—key factors contributing to our recognition as a leading investment in the sector.
Read more about this award-winning farmland deal here: https://www.farmlandlp.com/2024/11/farmland-lp-announces-strategic-acquisition-of-three-prime-farms-in-northern-california/

Institutional Investors Are Taking Notice

This award follows a landmark investment from the Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund in our Fund III. Institutional investors increasingly recognize farmland’s dual benefits: stable, uncorrelated financial returns and scalable climate-positive impact. As demand for organic food surges and carbon sequestration opportunities grow, regenerative farmland investing remains a premier alternative asset class.

What’s Next for Farmland LP?

With Fund III actively raising capital, we are expanding our portfolio of high-quality farmland assets and continuing to execute our strategy of transforming conventional farmland into thriving, organic, and regenerative operations. Our award-winning approach focuses on generating compelling financial returns while improving soil health, biodiversity, and water resources. As you can see below, Fund III is already deploying capital and taking advantage of one of the best periods in the last 15 years to buy farmland.

Join Us in the Future of Farming

For investors looking to align their portfolios with long-term, stable growth opportunities, now is the time to explore regenerative farmland as an asset class.

To learn more about our strategy, explore investment opportunities, or discuss how Farmland LP can fit into your portfolio, schedule a meeting by emailing irteam@farmlandlp.com or visiting our investment page.

With rising interest in alternative investments, RIAs and wealth advisors are exploring farmland as a stable, inflation-resistant asset class that provides strong long-term returns. In our recent webinar, Farmland LP’s leadership team broke down the key factors driving farmland’s performance and its role in modern investment strategies. If you missed the session, here’s what we covered and how to watch the full discussion or one of the chapters below (click on the timestamp to go directly to that chapter).

Watch the Full Webinar

Replay the discussion and deep dive into these insights: Watch Here.

Key Takeaways from the Webinar

1. Introduction to Farmland LP (0:00)
Farmland LP is one of the largest U.S. farmland managers focused on organic and regenerative agriculture, overseeing $300M in assets and 18,500 acres. Our team specializes in converting conventional farmland into high-value organic farmland, increasing both returns and sustainability.

2. Growth of Alternative Investments (03:55)
As interest in alternative investments grows, RIAs are shifting portfolios beyond traditional stocks and bonds. Private real estate and farmland are emerging as key portfolio stabilizers due to their long-term resilience and inflation protection.

3. Farmland as a Resilient Asset Class (09:10)
Historically, farmland has delivered 11% annualized returns over 85 years, with lower volatility than stocks and bonds. Unlike commercial real estate, farmland’s value is supported by essential demand—food production—making it a low-risk, high-reward asset.

4. Ideal Farmland Investment Criteria: Sunshine, Dirt & Water (15:58)
Farmland value is determined by three core factors: Sunshine, Dirt, and Water. To ensure long-term productivity, we focus on acquiring high-quality farmland with optimal climate conditions, rich soil, and valuable water rights.

5. A Case Study in Organic Conversion: Burns Farm, CA (19:36)
One of our most successful projects, Burns Farm, showcases how we convert conventional farmland into organic farmland. The transition has significantly increased gross margins from $300 per acre to over $800 per acre, demonstrating the potential for value creation.

6. Farmland LP’s $250 Million Fund III (24:20)
Farmland LP’s Fund III is a $250M investment opportunity focused on acquiring and converting farmland to organic production. Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund has invested in Fund III, further validating the strategy and offering additional revenue streams through carbon credit sales.

7. Valuing Water and Water Rights (28:12)
Water access is a critical but often overlooked aspect of farmland investing. Farmland LP prioritizes securing land with strong water rights, ensuring long-term resilience against climate and regulatory risks.

8. Investment Structure and Expectations (32:25)
We provide investors with a 10-year investment horizon, targeting 12-13% net IRRs, with a mix of cash flow from operations and long-term appreciation. Our structure is designed for simplicity, offering 1099 reporting instead of K-1s.

9. Climate Risks in Economic Modeling (35:17)
Our investment strategy incorporates climate modeling up to 2100, ensuring we acquire farmland in regions that will remain productive amid climate shifts. This forward-looking approach enhances long-term value.

10. Impact of Government Funding and Tariffs (37:34)
While some farmland operators rely heavily on federal programs, Farmland LP’s strategy is independent of government funding. We focus on high-value crops and sustainable farming practices that thrive regardless of policy changes.

Want to Learn More?

Investor Deck: Access a detailed overview of Farmland LP, our strategy, and Fund III here.

Speak with Our Team: For due diligence and onboarding inquiries, contact irteam@farmlandlp.com.

Coming Soon: A Major Recognition for Farmland LP
Farmland LP has been named Farmland Fund Manager of the Year by a leading agricultural publication! Stay tuned for details.

Join Us in the Future of Farming

For investors looking to align their portfolios with long-term, stable growth opportunities, now is the time to explore regenerative farmland as an asset class.

To learn more about our strategy, explore investment opportunities, or discuss how Farmland LP can fit into your portfolio, schedule a meeting by emailing irteam@farmlandlp.com or visiting our investment page.

Farmland LP Fund III Certified as a COIN-Approved Investment Bulletin

Farmland LP is proud to announce that Vital Farmland III, LLC (Fund III) has been certified as a COIN-approved Investment Bulletin and is now listed on the COIN Impact Investment Marketplace. This certification expands Fund III’s visibility among institutional investors and insurers seeking strong financial returns with measurable environmental impact.

What is COIN?

Established in 1996, the California Organized Investment Network (COIN) encourages insurance companies to invest in underserved communities and socially responsible projects in California. Administered by the California Department of Insurance, COIN collaborates with asset managers to source and structure impact-driven investments for insurers and institutional investors. The COIN Investment Bulletin certification is awarded to a select group of investment funds that meet rigorous criteria aligned with COIN’s mission.

Since 2019, COIN-approved Investment Bulletins have raised over $8 billion from insurer investors, demonstrating the program’s ability to direct significant capital into impactful projects. Fund III is now part of this select group, strengthening its position as a leading investment opportunity in sustainable farmland and regenerative agriculture.

Why COIN Certification Matters for Fund III

This COIN certification provides several key advantages:

Greater visibility among institutional investors prioritizing ESG and sustainability.
Additional validation for Fund III, reinforcing investor confidence.
Expanded access to institutional capital, both from insurers on the COIN platform and beyond.

With a $250 million target raise, Fund III continues Farmland LP’s mission of transforming conventional farmland into organic and regenerative operations. Managing over 18,500 acres, Farmland LP acquires and improves high-quality farmland using sustainable farming practices that:

Enhance soil health through regenerative techniques.
Diversify crops to improve resilience and long-term profitability.
Integrate productivity and technology to create long-term value.

Institutional-Grade Sustainable Agriculture

“Fund III’s COIN certification reinforces what we’ve built at Farmland LP—an institutional-grade investment that delivers strong financial performance while advancing sustainable agriculture,” said Craig Wichner, Managing Partner at Farmland LP. “This designation strengthens our ability to attract institutional capital and scale regenerative farming as a profitable, climate-smart investment strategy.”

The COIN certification marks another milestone in Farmland LP’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, creating long-term value for both investors and the environment. By joining the COIN Impact Investment Marketplace, Fund III is now positioned to connect with insurers and institutional investors seeking high-impact, socially responsible investments.

Invest in the Future of Regenerative Agriculture

If you’re an institutional investor looking to align your portfolio with climate-smart, regenerative farmland, learn more here or contact us at irteam@farmlandlp.com.

For more information about Farmland LP and Fund III’s COIN certification, please contact:

Director of Capital Markets & IR:
Michelle Ewart
(773) 805-7805
michelle@farmlandlp.com

Media Contact:
Ian Murphy
(805) 880-0852
ian@farmlandlp.com

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LiVPuT2AR5qvUa9vLv-ohA#/registration

Alternative investments are gaining traction, and farmland is emerging as a powerful tool for wealth preservation, portfolio diversification, and inflation protection. In this exclusive webinar, Farmland LP, one of the largest farmland investment managers, will walk RIAs through the compelling investment case for U.S. farmland and how it can help enhance client portfolios while generating strong, stable returns.

Hosted by Craig Wichner, Managing Partner & Founder, and Tom Sullivan, Managing Director of Capital Markets, this RIA-only webinar will cover how farmland fits into a diversified portfolio and how clients can invest through an IRA or Donor-Advised Fund (DAF).

What You’ll Learn:

Why alternatives are surging in demand—and how RIAs can capitalize on this trend.
Farmland’s track record—11% annualized returns over 85 years with low volatility.
Why now?—Supply is shrinking, demand is rising, and overleveraged institutions are selling.
How Farmland LP adds value—organic conversion, regenerative practices, and water rights.
A real-world case study—How a $30M farm transitioned to a $90M organic asset.
How to participate in Fund III—12-13% projected IRR with a 6% preferred return.
How clients can invest—Farmland LP is available on most major investment platforms, and clients can invest through IRAs and Donor Advised Funds.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LiVPuT2AR5qvUa9vLv-ohA#/registration