The future of agriculture is intertwined with humanity's fundamental well-being and the health of our planet. Superstruct is envisioning, planning, and implementing strategies to ensure a sustainable, productive, and profitable agricultural system for future generations on a planet as it will be, not as it was.
Resiliency
To survive, farms need to be resilient. A resilient farm enterprise is one that can weather the storm, no matter what form it takes—whether it’s drought, market downturns, or new regulations. This resiliency comes from a system designed to withstand and recover from these hardships. Farms need to incorporate practices and technologies that can buffer against unpredictable external pressures.
Agility
But resilience alone won’t do the trick. Farms need to be agile, capable of pivoting—sometimes quickly—in response to the supply and demand shifts of each season. An agile farm enterprise can adapt its operations, whether it’s adjusting planting schedules, tweaking livestock feeding strategies, or altering product offerings based on market needs. Micro-pivots, small adjustments in real time, allow farmers to take advantage of fleeting opportunities or react to sudden changes without having to overhaul their entire system.
Diversity
A key part of both resilience and agility is diversity. Diversification in revenue streams—whether through rotational crops, livestock integration, or value-added products—creates flexibility. And it’s not just about what the farm sells, but also about input costs. By building systems that can adapt to different inputs, from various crop varieties to alternative fertilizers or biologicals, farms can avoid being locked into a single strategy that may not always be viable.
Diversity also applies to the organisms at the farm level. Moving away from monocultures—single species of plants or animals—and toward a diversified ecosystem that mimics nature’s own adaptability is crucial. A diverse ecosystem is better able to sense and respond to changing conditions, improving not just the farm’s productivity, but its sustainability as well.
Biologicals: A Key to the Future
This is where biologicals come into play. Biological products—whether for soil health, crop protection, or livestock feed—are essential in building a resilient, agile, and diverse farming system. Biologicals can help foster a robust on-farm ecosystem by improving soil health, reducing reliance on chemical inputs, and enhancing overall productivity.
We believe that by embracing biologicals, farmers can create a system that’s flexible and resilient enough to handle whatever the future throws at them. The future of farming is one where resiliency, agility, and diversity come together to create thriving, adaptable enterprises that are ready for anything.
Why does AgFuture matter for Superstruct?
Our work is to build the next generations of businesses to solve the world's vexing problems of resilience and survivability. Based on scientific evidence, we imagine we are 12-15* years away from a new way of living as a result of climate.
This is the time of action.
We are dealing with a complex problem: many of the solutions we encounter are created by scientists rather than business professionals, and they require advanced systems thinking that isn't yet documented in textbooks. Founders need a clear path for acceleration, growth, and support to reach the initial stages of development. Unfortunately, many of these big ideas fail due to poor leadership and lack of business acumen, insufficient funding, and—most critically—the inability to iterate in the market in real time.
Our Superstruct method is a scientific approach to growth that adapts to the market in real-time. The time for change is now. Our Disciplined Approach to Growth seeks to find ways to stagger growth systematically and to actual, tangible outcomes that can keep the conversation evolving forward.
Rache Brand and Andrew Rose are two partners at Superstruct. Twenty-five years ago, they connected in Baltimore and were on parallel tracks building their careers: Rache in Food CPG and Restaurants, Andrew in Agriculture and Cyber. It took 15 years for their work tracks to intersect in finance at this time. Andrew heads up the AgFuture sector for Superstruct, with his colleague and subject matter expert Whitney Rottman.
Areas of Interest
Transformative trends are reshaping the industry – the future of ag; AgFuture. This forthcoming series is focused on our findings, thoughts, and predictions.
Here's what to anticipate and consider:
1. Precision Agriculture and Digital Farming
Advancements in technology are enabling farmers to optimize crop yields and resource usage through data analytics, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, drones, and artificial intelligence (AI). Precision agriculture allows for real-time monitoring of soil conditions, weather patterns, and crop health.
Startups to Watch:
CropX: Provides soil sensors and data analytics to optimize irrigation and fertilization.
Farmers Edge: Offers digital agriculture solutions for data-driven decision-making.
2. Vertical Farming and Controlled Environment Agriculture
With urbanization and limited arable land, vertical farming presents a sustainable solution by growing crops in stacked layers within controlled environments. This method reduces the need for pesticides and allows for year-round production.
Startups to Watch:
Plenty: Utilizes advanced vertical farming techniques to grow produce efficiently.
Bowery Farming: Operates indoor farms using automation and hydroponics.
3. Biotechnology and Gene Editing
Biotechnological advancements like CRISPR are enabling the development of crops resistant to diseases, pests, and environmental stresses. This could lead to higher yields and reduced reliance on chemical inputs.
Startups to Watch:
Inari Agriculture: Focuses on gene-editing technology to enhance crop performance.
Pairwise: Uses CRISPR to improve the nutritional value and sustainability of fruits and vegetables.
Brightseed: Creates solutions to healthcare using precision selection from nature's plants, matching plant DNA and human DNA.
4. Alternative Proteins and Sustainable Food Sources
The rise of plant-based and lab-grown meats addresses environmental and ethical concerns associated with traditional livestock farming. These alternatives can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption.
Startups to Watch:
Meati: Develops plant-based products that mimic meat using mushrooms.
AirProtein: A super protein that is pulling protein from the air and using as a powder in new ingredients.
5. Robotics and Automation
Labor shortages and the need for efficiency are driving the adoption of robotics in agriculture. Robots can perform tasks such as planting, harvesting, and weeding with high precision.
Startups to Watch:
Blue River Technology: Acquired by John Deere, it develops smart machines for precise agriculture.
Agrobot: Designs robots for harvesting delicate fruits.
There's a growing emphasis on farming practices that restore soil health, enhance biodiversity, and sequester carbon. Regenerative agriculture aims to create a more resilient food system.
Initiatives and Organizations:
Kiss the Ground: Promotes regenerative agriculture through education and advocacy.
Regeneration International: Supports global adoption of regenerative practices.
Merika, Erik Bruun Bindslev: Participating in setting the new standards and collaborating on systems change, specifically in prairie lands.
7. Climate-Resilient Farming
As climate change impacts become more pronounced, developing crops and farming methods that withstand extreme weather is critical.
Startups to Watch:
Tropic Biosciences: Uses gene editing to develop climate-resilient crops.
ClimateAi: Provides climate risk forecasting for agricultural planning.
8. Blockchain for Supply Chain Transparency
Blockchain technology offers traceability from farm to table, enhancing food safety and allowing consumers to verify product origins.
Startups to Watch:
Provenance: Uses blockchain to track the journey of food products.
Ripe.io: Creates digital platforms for transparent food supply chains.
Key Interests for Superstruct
Two areas that we are particularly interested in and spending more time on exploration →
9. Space Agriculture (SpaceAg)
As humanity sets its sights on space exploration and potential colonization of other planets like Mars, developing agricultural systems that can function in extraterrestrial environments is becoming increasingly important. Space agriculture focuses on growing food in microgravity, limited-resource settings, and harsh conditions, which also leads to innovations beneficial for sustainable agriculture on Earth.
Key Developments:
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA): Techniques developed for space can enhance indoor farming systems on Earth, improving efficiency and reducing resource use.
Plant Research in Microgravity: Studying how plants grow in space to improve resilience and productivity, both off-planet and in challenging Earth environments.
Bioregenerative Life Support Systems: Integrating plants into life support to recycle air and water, crucial for long-duration space missions.
Organizations and Startups to Watch:
NASA's Veggie Program: Developed plant growth systems for the International Space Station (ISS), enabling astronauts to grow and consume fresh produce.
Redwire Space (formerly Made In Space): Works on space-based plant growth habitats and 3D printing technologies for sustainable living in space.
Aleph Farms: Collaborated with 3D Bioprinting Solutions to produce cultivated meat in space, demonstrating the potential for off-planet protein production.
10. Insect Proteins
Insect protein is emerging as a sustainable alternative to traditional livestock proteins. Insects require significantly less land, water, and feed, and they produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions. They offer a high-efficiency protein source that can meet the nutritional needs of a growing population while reducing environmental impact.
Applications:
Human Consumption: Insects can be processed into flours, protein bars, and other food products, providing a nutritious and sustainable food source.
Animal Feed: Insects serve as protein-rich feed for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture, helping to reduce reliance on traditional feedstocks like soy and fishmeal.
Waste Reduction: Insects can convert organic waste and by-products into valuable protein, contributing to a circular economy.
Startups to Watch:
Ÿnsect: A French company specializing in the vertical farming of mealworms to produce high-quality protein for animal nutrition and fertilizers.
Protix: Based in the Netherlands, it breeds insects like black soldier flies for sustainable proteins in animal feed and pet food.
Aspire Food Group: Utilizes automated farming systems to produce crickets for human consumption, focusing on scalability and sustainability.
InnovaFeed: A French biotech company producing insect protein for aquaculture, promoting sustainable fish farming practices.
Big Thought Starters
Feeding a Growing Population Sustainably
With the global population projected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, sustainable intensification of agriculture is essential. This involves increasing production without exacerbating environmental degradation.
Decarbonizing Agriculture
Agriculture contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Innovations in carbon capture, renewable energy usage on farms, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels are critical for decarbonization.
Digital Transformation
The integration of digital technologies can enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve profitability. This includes the use of AI for predictive analytics and blockchain for supply chain management.
Circular Economy in Agriculture
Implementing circular economy principles can minimize waste by reusing agricultural by-products. For example, converting crop residues into bioenergy or animal feed.
Climate Adaptation and Resilience
Developing crops and systems resilient to climate extremes ensures food security. This includes drought-tolerant seeds and diversified cropping systems.
There is so much more to come.
The future of agriculture is being shaped by technological innovation, sustainability initiatives, and the urgent need to adapt to climate change. Stakeholders should consider investing in and supporting these emerging trends and startups. Embracing these changes is essential for creating a resilient food system capable of nourishing a growing global population while preserving the planet.
*Key White Papers and Reports:
"The Future of Food and Agriculture – Trends and Challenges" by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): Examines global challenges and potential strategies for sustainable agriculture.
"Agricultural Innovation: The United States in a Changing Global Reality" by the U.S. Department of Agriculture: Discusses innovation's role in maintaining agricultural competitiveness.
"Innovation in agriculture: Navigating the future of food" by McKinsey & Company: Explores technological advancements shaping the industry's future.
IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C (2018):
Summary: The IPCC warned that global warming needs to be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels to avoid the most severe impacts of climate change.
Timeframe: The report emphasized that to achieve this goal, significant reductions in carbon emissions must occur within the next 12 years (by 2030 from the report's release in 2018).
Implications: Exceeding the 1.5°C threshold increases the risk of extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and ecosystem loss.
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