Aug 10, 2018
On episode 30 of Sourcing Matters we welcome Wood Turner, Sr.
Vice President of Agriculture Capital. Focused on integrating
and operationalizing the firm’s cross-platform sustainability
strategies into the 4 staple permacrops they invest in, Turner
brings unique background and expertise to the changing dynamic
of food production.
It’s Agriculture Capitals mission to grow access to healthy,
sustainable food. “We’ve assembled experienced
professionals from finance, farming, processing, marketing, and
sustainability to bring innovative thinking to managing successful
food enterprises.”described the firm’s website.
Turner has over 20 years of experience in corporate
sustainability, environmental management, and consumer engagement.
Most recently, he was on the executive team at organic yogurt
pioneer Stonyfield Farm as the company’s VP Sustainability
Innovation. Prior to that, he was founding executive director of
Climate Counts, an international NGO focused on measuring and
scoring the world’s largest consumer companies on their concrete,
enterprise-level responses to climate change. Wood has consulted to
brands, elected officials, and public agencies on mobilizing the
public around ideas that improve the environment and build
community.
Agricultural economist Renee Vasillos joins as co-host of our 45
minute conversation which covers subjects that range from the
current state of citrus, consumer engagement, “softening the edges”
of investing in & production models that support pollinator health,
and the all important topic of water. Private equity often gets a
bad rap for being too focused on the deal instead of the value
creation. Wood Turner and his team at Agriculture Capital seek to
restructure how capital can deliver multi-dimensional returns
beneficial to many stakeholders and the shared environment.