Ben Gordon: Investing in Farmland - [Making Markets, EP.33]

Ben Gordon: Investing in Farmland - [Making Markets, EP.33]

Author: Colossus | Investing & Business Podcasts June 14, 2024 Duration: 46:54

My guest this week is Ben Gordon, the CEO of Fractal. At Fractal, Ben runs a unique strategy, providing farmers with equity capital and investors exposure to a differentiated and uncorrelated asset class. Ben starts by making the case for investing in farmland and explaining why institutional ownership remains low in the category. We then dive into Fractal’s business model, what a typical deal looks like and where they fit in the agricultural capital stack. If you’re interested in this topic, I also recommend listening to our earlier episode called “Harvesting Alpha through Farmland.” Please enjoy this episode with Ben Gordon.


For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page HERE.

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Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).


Show Notes

(00:00:00) Welcome to Making Markets

(00:01:53) The Appeal of Farmland Investments

(00:04:23) Challenges and Opportunities in Farmland

(00:10:22) Fractal's Unique Business Model

(00:15:58) Investor Insights and Tax Benefits

(00:21:48) The Impact of Technology on Agriculture

(00:23:50) Farmland and ESG Investing

(00:26:23) Fractal's Vision and Strategy

(00:28:11) Scaling and Risk Management in Farmland Investments

(00:33:17) Historical Performance and Market Dynamics

(00:43:27) The Future of The Market for Farmland 

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Eric Golden hosts Making Markets, a podcast that digs into the often unseen mechanics and human behaviors driving how value is assigned and traded. Rather than just analyzing charts or headlines, conversations focus on the underlying architecture-the rules, relationships, and psychology-that defines how any marketplace functions. This approach means that one episode might dissect the familiar terrain of bonds or equities, while the next ventures into the specialized worlds of fine art, cryptocurrency, or even vineyard acquisitions. The common thread is a curiosity about the actual transactions and the people who facilitate them, providing a tangible sense of what occurs when assets change hands. By speaking with practitioners and experts each week, the show demystifies the complex systems that form the backbone of global commerce, offering listeners a clearer picture of economic forces at work. As part of the Colossus network of investing and business podcasts, Making Markets builds a comprehensive library of knowledge, turning abstract concepts into accessible narratives. It’s for anyone who has ever wondered about the real-world machinery operating behind the curtain of daily financial news.
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