Gratitude Railroad and Blackdirt Capital launch $40m impact livestock JV

Impact investment firm Gratitude Railroad is targeting $40m to invest in organic dairy and beef operations in the US south-east.

Impact investment firm Gratitude Railroad is launching the Gratitude Farmland Fund, targeting $40 million, to invest in organic dairy and beef operations in the US south-east.

The fund, a joint venture with organic farmland developer Blackdirt Capital, will focus on acquiring undervalued farmland in the US for grass-fed production. The fund is managed by Blackdirt founder David Nicola, a former portfolio manager for BlueMountain Capital and investment analyst for Citigroup.

“Sustainable agriculture businesses, particularly in the [these] sectors, are uniquely positioned to offer compelling investment opportunities while also advancing important social and ecological impact,” said Nicola.

Gratitude Railroad, founded in 2013, acts as an incubator for investment funds focused on addressing environmental and social problems, while also delivering financial returns. The firm provides seed capital, advisory services and direct co-investment with participating funds.