S9E114: Chris Rawley / Harvest Returns - Sustainability, Risk Management, & Investor Education in Vertical Farming

Ever sought the thrill of leaving the mundane behind to explore the world, only to land in the fascinating field of agriculture? Join us as we sit down with Chris Rawley, the founder and CEO of Harvest Returns, who did exactly that. Combining his experiences as a Navy veteran, a globe-trotter, and a commercial real estate investor, Chris shares his journey to bridging the gap between investors and farmers through his platform. Listen in as he delves into the transformation of farming practices due to climate change and technology.

Venture with Chris as he transports us through his travels across 60 countries, sharing meals and connecting with locals. His travel tales are not only intriguing but also shed light on the stark dichotomy between food systems in developed and less fortunate countries. His stories from the open seas are captivating and humbling, reminding us of the raw beauty and power of nature. Moreover, his observations have shaped his current work in sustainable agriculture and vertical farming.

In the realm of agriculture, every turn comes with its own set of challenges. Chris candidly discusses the hurdles faced in financing agriculture and the necessity of building trust in the industry. From developing different financing structures for farms to fostering relationships with different cultures, he's done it all. He also shares his insights into the struggles and triumphs of vertical farming. As we wrap up our conversation, Chris emphasizes the importance of sustainability, risk management, and investor education in farming. This intriguing conversation with Chris promises to illuminate you on the complexities and rewards of farming and sustainable agriculture. Don't miss out!

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Key Takeaways

0:00:00 - Chris’ Introduction to Vertical Farming

0:08:28 - Connecting Cultures Through Food and Travel

0:15:33 - Challenges of Financing and Building Trust in Farming

0:20:48 - Challenges and Traits of Vertical Farming

0:28:19 - Considerations for Funding Indoor Farms

0:38:40 - Investor Perspective on Sustainable Agriculture

0:45:25 - Cash Flow and Trust in Business

Tweetable Quotes

"If you want to broaden your experience, best thing to do is go travel, just see the world."

"I learned a lot about risk because we did some dangerous things, looking at what the worst case scenario is and probabilities of a failure and have tried to translate that into my business, especially on the investing side, as we look at farms that we're going to invest in."

"There's a fine line between having an expensive hobby and having a business that can grow and make money for people involved. There's even more challenges because you've got investors that you have to provide a return to, and that's another thing that people don't think about when they have this sort of dream of I'm going to start a vertical farm."

Resources Mentioned

Chris' LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisrawley/

Harvest Returns LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/10945364

We Are the New Farmers - https://www.wearethenewfarmers.com/

Chris' Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/harvestreturns

Chris' Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/harvestreturns/

Chris' Twitter - https://twitter.com/HarvestReturns

Chris' Email - chris.rawley@harvestreturns.com

Connect With Us

VFP LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/verticalfarmingpodcast

VFP Twitter - https://twitter.com/VerticalFarmPod

VFP Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

VFP Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VerticalFarmPod

Subscribe to our newsletters!

AgTech Digest - https://agtechdigest.com

The Indoor Farmer - https://www.indoorverticalfarm.com/

Horti-Gen Insights - https://www.hortigeninsights.com/

Sponsor Links

Cultivatd’s Website – https://cultivatd.com/

Cultivatd’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/cultivatdco/

Cultivatd’s Twitter – https://twitter.com/cultivatd

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Mentioned in this episode:

2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews

2025 Precision Ag Report

2025 Precision Ag Report by iGrowNews

2025 Precision Ag Report