Regenerative Agriculture & Food Systems Summit USA 2024

Regenerative Agriculture & Food Systems Summit USA

Unifying the food industry to accelerate regenerative agriculture practices through partnership and harmonization

Download 2024 Agenda
Chicago, USA
12-14 March, 2024

“The diversity of actors within the agri value chain was a fantastic asset to understanding farm-to-fork! It was great to have both "sides" of the regenerative agriculture sector. By that I mean, those who are the big input producers and those who believe organic and no synthetic inputs are the way forward to have professional discussions in a safe environment.”

Mars

JOIN US IN 2024

With only nine harvests left until 2030, the moment to act is now, transforming agricultural systems to deliver positive change is crucial. 

A complete remodeling of the structure of our current global agricultural model is necessary to ensure the population remains fed and to safeguard economic prosperity. This transformation is only feasible through the combined participation of all stakeholders. A new strategy of pre-competitive collaborative action from multiple actors will be key to unlocking change and driving impact at scale. 

Bringing together key players from across the entire food system supply chain, the Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems Summit USA returns on March 12-14, 2024 with one unified mission – to accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture to build a more abundant and resilient food system for generations to come!

What to Expect?

With three packed days of content, this is not something you'll want to miss! Join us for an  interactive workshop and an exclusive Common Ground screening on Tuesday, March 12 before joining us for our two main event days (March 13 - 14).

Across our main event days, expect 300+ agri-food leaders, keynote sessions and panel discussions, collaborative workshops and roundtables, and 7+ hours of dedicated 1-2-1 networking time.

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OUR PURPOSE

Our purpose is to bring together all stakeholders and be a neutral platform that enables open, constructive, and educational discussions to further progress toward the transition to regenerative practices. We believe everyone deserves a seat at the table and that the best way to effectively bring about change is through peer-to-peer sharing, partnership, and collaboration. 

WHY ATTEND?

Consultants/ Investors

  • Position Yourself as a Market Leader: Position yourself at the forefront of the regenerative agriculture movement by showcasing your expertise and securing new clients and partners.

  • Thought Leadership: Participate in critical discussions that define the trajectory of the transition to regenerative agriculture and establish your company as a thought leader in the industry.

  • Regulatory Landscape: Successfully navigate regulatory challenges and opportunities by staying up to date with regulatory changes and understanding the evolving landscape of sustainable and regenerative practices. 

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Farmers/ Academics

  • Tell your Story: Share your challenges, experiences, and have your voice heard by CPGs and other vital stakeholders in the room.

  • Case Studies: Gain insights into real-world challenges faced by farmers and other key supply chain players when transitioning. Successfully adopt evidence-based practices and bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

  • Networking Opportunities: Facilitate collaborative partnerships by sharing experiences and challenges as you exchange ideas with other farmers and researchers.

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Service Providers

  • Market Expansion Opportunities: Identify new business opportunities and expand your client base by offering solutions tailored to regenerative practices.

  • Showcase Innovative Solutions: Position yourself as a trusted partner by demonstrating your solutions to potential clients and showcasing how your innovation contributes to environmental stewardship.

  • Network and Collaborate: Enhance your credibility and establish your presence in the industry by participating in discussions and connecting face-to-face with 450+ key agri-food players.

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NGOs/ Cooperatives

  • Advocacy for Policy Change: Engage with industry leaders to promote policies that incentivize and support the transition to regenerative agriculture. Contribute to the development of a framework that encourages regenerative practices.

  • Showcase Successful Case Studies: Provide tangible examples of how regenerative agriculture has positively impacted communities, ecosystems, and agricultural productivity.

  • Collaboration and Partnership Building: Amplify the impact of your initiatives by forming alliances with other farmers, NGOs, and businesses.

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MNCs/ F&B Brands

  • Industry Leadership: Foster partnerships for a collective impact by engaging with decision-makers from across the value chain.
  • Thought Leadership: Provide real-world case studies of how regenerative agriculture has positively impacted your business and establish your company as a thought leader in the industry.

  • Networking: Connect with and learn from 450+ industry leaders from across the supply chain who share your commitment to transforming agriculture for a better future.

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Retailers

  • Industry Leadership: Foster partnerships for a collective impact by engaging with farmers, ingredient suppliers, F&B Brands, and decision-makers from across the value chain.

  • Knowledge Sharing: Scale your projects by identifying strategic opportunities and forming new partnerships.

  • Networking: Build connections with 450+ industry leaders from across the supply chain who share your commitment to transforming agriculture for a better future.

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COMMON GROUND SCREENING

We're very excited to announce that we have partnered with Big Picture Ranch to hold an exclusive screening and post-screening Q&A session with the Directors Josh Tickel and Rebecca Tickell of the highly anticipated follow-up film, Common Ground! Our exclusive screening will take place on the evening of Tuesday, March 12 before our main event kicks off. 

Date: Tuesday, March 12

Screening Start Time: 6:00pm

Please note you must be registered to attend this year's Regenerative Agriculture Summit USA to attend this exclusive screening. Seats are limited and available on a first come first serve basis. Sign up below.

SIGN UP FOR SCREENING

ADVISORY BOARD

Our Advisory Board helps steer the direction of the Series and its content to ensure we stay close to our mission throughout.

Our members bring an objective and collaborative approach to their roles and aid in the creation of a platform that is industry-driven and provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to share, network, and leave committed, and ready to make real progress.

Author:

Lesley Mitchell

Director of Policy
Sustainable Food Trust

Lesley Mitchell

Director of Policy
Sustainable Food Trust

Author:

Øistein Thorsen

CEO
FAI Farms

Øistein Thorsen

CEO
FAI Farms

Author:

Jess Newman

Senior Director of Agriculture and Sustainability
McCain Foods

Jess Newman is the Senior Director of Agriculture & Sustainability at McCain Foods, the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products and appetizers. Her team of agronomists and field representatives are responsible for all the vegetable crops purchased directly from farmers. They also implement McCain’s 2025 sustainability goals related to agriculture: 100% of farmers implementing regenerative practices, 25% reduction in farming CO2 emissions intensity, 15% improvement in irrigation water use efficiency in water-stressed regions, and the launch of three Farms of the Future.

Jess works remotely from her home state of Michigan and travels frequently to support her team (when covid allows).

Jess is passionate about sustainability in agricultural supply chains. Her philosophy is to meet farmers where they are and help them move along the sustainability spectrum – while creating profitability too! Talking to farmers is what energizes her. Shas worked at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Ecologic Institute, New York City Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, Booz & Company, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), and Anheuser-Busch. She holds a B.A. from Harvard, an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management (with Sustainability Certificate). She loves baking bread, sci-fi/fantasy, and cats.

Jess Newman

Senior Director of Agriculture and Sustainability
McCain Foods

Jess Newman is the Senior Director of Agriculture & Sustainability at McCain Foods, the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products and appetizers. Her team of agronomists and field representatives are responsible for all the vegetable crops purchased directly from farmers. They also implement McCain’s 2025 sustainability goals related to agriculture: 100% of farmers implementing regenerative practices, 25% reduction in farming CO2 emissions intensity, 15% improvement in irrigation water use efficiency in water-stressed regions, and the launch of three Farms of the Future.

Jess works remotely from her home state of Michigan and travels frequently to support her team (when covid allows).

Jess is passionate about sustainability in agricultural supply chains. Her philosophy is to meet farmers where they are and help them move along the sustainability spectrum – while creating profitability too! Talking to farmers is what energizes her. Shas worked at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Ecologic Institute, New York City Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, Booz & Company, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), and Anheuser-Busch. She holds a B.A. from Harvard, an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management (with Sustainability Certificate). She loves baking bread, sci-fi/fantasy, and cats.

Author:

Pascal Chapot

Corporate Head of Sustainable Agriculture Development
Nestlé

Pascal Chapot

Corporate Head of Sustainable Agriculture Development
Nestlé

Author:

Megan Rock

Chief Sustainability Officer
CHS

Megan Rock is vice president of sustainability and innovation at CHS, the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative and an agronomy, global energy, grains and food company.

In 2022, Rock joined CHS as the company’s first VP of sustainability and innovation. Prior to CHS, she served as VP of corporate responsibility and sustainability and global lead of sustainability solutions at Bunge, Inc., and held sustainability and environmental management positions in government and banking.

In her new role, Rock will lead CHS efforts to develop and execute sustainability and innovation strategies across its $48 billion enterprise.

Rock holds a bachelor of science degree in soil, environmental and atmospheric science from the University of Missouri and a graduate certificate in advanced studies in environmental policy and management from the University of Denver. 

Rock has served on the board of directors for Field to Market and Ag Future of America. In 2015, she received the Changemaker of Tomorrow award from Keep Akron (Ohio) Beautiful, and she is a member of the St. Louis Business Journal’s 40 under 40 class of 2020. She lives in St. Louis with her three children and two French bulldogs.

Megan Rock

Chief Sustainability Officer
CHS

Megan Rock is vice president of sustainability and innovation at CHS, the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative and an agronomy, global energy, grains and food company.

In 2022, Rock joined CHS as the company’s first VP of sustainability and innovation. Prior to CHS, she served as VP of corporate responsibility and sustainability and global lead of sustainability solutions at Bunge, Inc., and held sustainability and environmental management positions in government and banking.

In her new role, Rock will lead CHS efforts to develop and execute sustainability and innovation strategies across its $48 billion enterprise.

Rock holds a bachelor of science degree in soil, environmental and atmospheric science from the University of Missouri and a graduate certificate in advanced studies in environmental policy and management from the University of Denver. 

Rock has served on the board of directors for Field to Market and Ag Future of America. In 2015, she received the Changemaker of Tomorrow award from Keep Akron (Ohio) Beautiful, and she is a member of the St. Louis Business Journal’s 40 under 40 class of 2020. She lives in St. Louis with her three children and two French bulldogs.

Author:

Felipe Villela

Business Development Manager
The LandBanking Group

Felipe Villela

Business Development Manager
The LandBanking Group

Author:

Martina Henry

Director, Agriculture Sustainability
Kraft Heinz

Martina Henry

Director, Agriculture Sustainability
Kraft Heinz

Author:

Alex Godfrey

Joint Head of Natural Capital
Savills

Alex Godfrey

Joint Head of Natural Capital
Savills

Author:

Jennifer Simpson

Sustainability Lead CSST
Cargill

Jennifer Simpson

Sustainability Lead CSST
Cargill

Author:

Dionys Forster

Director General
SAI Platform

Dionys Forster

Director General
SAI Platform

INNOVATION SHOWCASE

The Innovation Showcase gives commercial startups with unique and interesting technologies, services, and products within the agriculture space the chance to present in front of our audience of investors and strategic partners.

All applications are stage agnostic and can relate to any solution within regenerative agriculture.

Five finalists will be selected by our esteemed Selection Committee and take to the stage to present their vision of the future of the regenerative agriculture space at this year's Summit. 

PLEASE NOTE: Applications are free to apply. All finalists MUST be registered to attend the Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems Summit USA.

Applications are now closed.

Our finalists will be announced soon.

SELECTION COMMITTEE

Author:

Brian Halweil

Strategic Associate
Astanor Ventures

Brian Halweil

Strategic Associate
Astanor Ventures

Author:

Cristina Rohr

Managing Director, Food & Agriculture
S2G Ventures

Cristina Rohr a Managing Director of Investments with S2G Ventures. Cristina’s portfolio work ranges from agriculture focused investments in genetics, crop protection, soil health and digital/IOT to consumer facing brands.

Cristina has nearly 10 years of experience in sourcing, executing, managing and exiting venture and private equity investments. Before joining S2G Ventures, Cristina was a private equity investor with the Edgewater Funds in Chicago and, prior to that, with First Reserve in London, where she focused on leveraged buyout investments in the natural resources industry. Cristina also previously worked for Citigroup Investment Banking Division in London.

Cristina graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences with a double major in Mathematical and Computational Sciences and Economics. She earned her MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.

Cristina Rohr

Managing Director, Food & Agriculture
S2G Ventures

Cristina Rohr a Managing Director of Investments with S2G Ventures. Cristina’s portfolio work ranges from agriculture focused investments in genetics, crop protection, soil health and digital/IOT to consumer facing brands.

Cristina has nearly 10 years of experience in sourcing, executing, managing and exiting venture and private equity investments. Before joining S2G Ventures, Cristina was a private equity investor with the Edgewater Funds in Chicago and, prior to that, with First Reserve in London, where she focused on leveraged buyout investments in the natural resources industry. Cristina also previously worked for Citigroup Investment Banking Division in London.

Cristina graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences with a double major in Mathematical and Computational Sciences and Economics. She earned her MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.

Author:

Parker Hughes

Associate
ReGen Ventures

Parker Hughes

Associate
ReGen Ventures

Author:

Mitch Rubin

Director of Innovation
Elemental Excelerator

Mitch Rubin

Director of Innovation
Elemental Excelerator

CONTACT US

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