Harvest Returns

Harvest Returns operates as an online crowdfunding marketplace specializing in agricultural investments, connecting producers with both accredited and non-accredited investors. The company was founded in 2016 by military veterans Chris Rawley and Austin Maness and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. The founding was driven by Rawley's personal experience as an investor who found it difficult to access direct investments in farms, coupled with his appreciation for agriculture's global importance, an insight gained during his 30-year career as a naval officer. This experience, which included deployments to regions where agriculture was critical, along with his background in corporate management and real estate investing, shaped the company's mission to democratize agricultural investing.

The firm's business model centers on providing a platform for farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses to raise capital as an alternative to traditional bank loans. In this structure, producers maintain operational control while investors provide passive funding. Harvest Returns generates revenue through fees paid by the issuer (the agricultural producer) for services related to organizing and marketing the capital raise. Investors themselves are not charged fees to participate in the offerings. The platform vets potential deals, selecting less than 5% of applicants to list, prioritizing sponsors with a strong track record. Investment opportunities are structured as SEC-compliant private placements.

Harvest Returns offers a diverse range of agricultural investment opportunities, including debt and equity offerings in farmland, timberland, row crops, specialty crops, livestock, and controlled environment agriculture like hydroponic and vertical farms. Investors can participate with minimums that typically range from $5,000 to $25,000 and can use funds from self-directed IRAs for certain deals. The platform provides detailed information for each offering, and investors receive regular updates, tax documents, and distributions, which are typically paid quarterly or annually. By April 2023, the company had facilitated over $30 million in funding for more than 50 agricultural businesses and distributed over $7.1 million in returns to its community of over 13,000 investors.

Keywords: agricultural investing, crowdfunding, farmland investment, agribusiness financing, private credit, impact investing, equity crowdfunding, sustainable agriculture, alternative investments, food system investment, passive income, portfolio diversification, timberland investing, livestock investing, controlled environment agriculture, ag-tech, farm financing, accredited investors, regenerative agriculture, Opportunity Zone Fund