The initial idea for Fieldcraft—the first ingredient marketplace connecting food and agriculture—started years ago. I’ve traveled across all seven continents and nearly 100 countries. What struck me was that ingredients can come from any corner of the world and be used in products that can go to every corner of the world. Ingredients have the greatest potential to improve economic outcomes and foster sustainable food systems. Fieldcraft makes it easier for producers going beyond commodity to partner with makers driven by the same purpose—to change how we grow and what we eat.
DEMOCRATIZING MARKETS
Fieldcraft is the alternative to commodity. 84% of grower-owned operations on Fieldcraft have fewer than 1000 acres. The first tool we built for Fieldcraft was the “Grower Request” feature that helps connect supply and demand better, while enabling growers to secure contracts in new markets.
We also found that many of our early adopters were adding value and selling ingredients in order to capture more margin. Forward integration is a growing trend globally and one we’re excited about when we consider the before and after of Fieldcraft.
HARNESSING AGROBIODIVERSITY
Over half of arable cropland in the United States is covered in corn and soybeans used primarily for feed. This practice is being adopted globally and is not sustainable.
Diverse markets mean more diverse fields. Rotations including specialty food crops reduce weed and pest pressure which reduces the need for chemical crop protection. Moreover, many of these crops offer growers an alternative to cultivated fallow fields, reducing erosion, building organic matter, saving soil moisture and providing natural nitrogen fertilizer for follow-on crops.
LEVERAGING TRANSPARENCY
Fieldcraft offers buyers full transparency from farm to foodtech—from the type of business and specific certifications, to production methods and practices from no till to regenerative.
In many cases, Fieldcraft is creating entirely new markets including transitional Organic, the challenging three-year period when growers use Organic practices but are not paid the premiums. There’s no other place to find these growers and the suppliers working with them.
Buyers from small brands to global manufacturers on Fieldcraft source from growers which helps them reduce their reliance on commodity crops while enabling them to capture more profit per acre.
BUILDING THE FUTURE OF FOOD
Our marketplace is host to a wide range of innovators and innovations. I’m always amazed by the variety of suppliers joining Fieldcraft. Here are some of our newest members:
Ochs Ranch, a transitional Organic wheat grower
Agrofloresta, a supplier using reagroforestation to revert land degradation
Rumi, an importer sourcing saffron from Afghan women
Renewal Mill, a woman-led upcycled flour startup
Geltor, a biodesigned plant protein manufacturer
I’m looking forward to where we’re headed next.