The Harvest Returns Model
Chris Rawley owns Harvest Returns, an equity crowdfunding/offer or solicitation platform that offers individual investors an opportunity to invest in ranching. At its core, Harvest Returns seeks to bridge the gap between ranchers needing capital and investors looking to put money in the agricultural sector. Depending on the rancher’s needs and the specific project, Harvest Returns can either lend the capital raised from its investors or purchase an equity stake in a ranch.
Chris said that Harvest Returns has a rigorous vetting progress. Of the many who approach them for funding, only about 3% make it onto their platform. This ensures investors are presented with only the most viable and promising investment strategies and opportunities. Once a rancher is onboarded, there’s a 70% chance they’ll successfully navigate through due diligence and secure funding.
Furthermore, Chris emphasized the alignment of values between the platform’s investors and the ranching projects. Despite the rise of plant-based food movements, Harvest Returns’ investors have clearly preferred traditional ranching.
“Our investors, they like cattle. They want to invest in ranchers that are producing cattle and sheep and ruminant animals,” Chris proudly stated.
Jesse Nelson’s Journey
Jesse Nelson’s story is a testament to the potential of innovative ranch investment platforms. Having purchased a ranch property from his grandparents, Jesse faced challenges securing traditional bank financing due to the extended timeline of grass-fed and finished beef production.
“Grass-fed and finished beef takes that extra year on them,” Jesse explained. “Cattle, you know, 20 to 24 months to be butcherable. The bank doesn’t want to wait.”
Through Harvest Returns, Jesse secured the necessary funding, allowing him to continue his family’s legacy and expand his operations.
Ranch Investor’s DPP Program
While Harvest Returns offers a unique model, Ranch Investor’s DPP program provides another avenue for investors.
Ranch management comes with many nuances, and Ranch Investor’s team of experts, backed by Principal Colter DeVries’s, AFM, ALC’s ranch experience, are prepared to ensure the successful management of all syndicated ranches.
Ranch Investor focuses on ensuring that ranches are managed by those skilled in the day-to-day operations and competent business managers who can drive profitability.
With the burden of management taken care of, Limited Partners are free to earn and enjoy the ranch passively as they please.
Takeaways for Investors
- Diverse Investment Opportunities: Platforms like Harvest Returns offer a wide range of investment opportunities, from sheep and cattle ranches to wineries and mushroom farms. Meanwhile, Ranch Investor allows investors to earn and experience the cowboy lifestyle and breathtaking landscapes without the responsibilities. At the same time, ensuring that your investment portfolio is generating cash flow, too.
- Higher Margins with Direct-to-Consumer Models: As Chris Rawley pointed out, selling directly to consumers, whether online or via farmer’s markets, can yield higher margins than commoditized cow-calf/cattle.
- Expert Ranch Management: Both Harvest Returns and Ranch Investor emphasize the importance of competent business management in ranching, ensuring that operations are sustainable and profitable, especially during cattle drives where it can offer the traditional cattle drive by horseback riding or the modern one.
Platforms like Harvest Returns and Ranch Investor lead the way with long-term innovative investment opportunities. These companies offer a unique blend of tradition and innovation for investors looking to tap into the lucrative world of ranching.
Their goals is not just raising money for farm and ranches but they constitutes investement platforms where they can own a ranch as a limited partner for a ranch – not just a guest ranch visitor.
Whether you’re a seasoned investor or new to the ranching world, there’s never been a better time to explore the opportunities of one of the best asset classes, a ranch.