CRUSONIA FORUM—BKLYN 2021 brings investors together with the innovators, entrepreneurs and thought leaders transforming the global food system.
In the US, the cost of treating food-related disease exceeds the cost of the food itself. And food production produces more than a quarter of total CHG emissions.
Consumers are clearly ready for change: 39% are actively trying to incorporate more plant-based food into their diet and 67% are open to changing their eating habits that adversely impact the environment.
But transforming the global food system for the better can only be accomplished through increased innovation, education and investment.
In the morning there will be presentations and group discussions. The afternoon will feature a farm-to-table lunch, followed by a series of company presentations and investor meetings — ending with a cocktail party on Brooklyn Grange’s wonderful roof-top farm.
This is your opportunity to identify and learn more about leaders and companies defining the new face of agriculture at the nexus of food and health.
This Crusonia forum is a free, invitation-only event and attendance will be strictly limited to 100 participants.
The venue is a sheltered, open-air rooftop farm easily accessible by Uber, subway and ferry from Manhattan.
AGENDA
(SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
8:00 am
Healthy, Fresh Breakfast
8:30 am
Welcome
Paul Noglows, Executive Producer, Crusonia
8:32 am
Brief Overview and Welcome to Brooklyn Grange
Gwen Schantz, Co-founder & Chief Creative Officer, Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm
8:35 am
The Next Investment Arbitrage: Food Is Health
Carter Williams, CEO, iSelect Fund
8:45 am
How Did We Get Here? Food System Evolution
Nancy Roman, President and CEO, Partnership for a Healthier America
9:00 am
Food is Health: What's Your Fix?
Robert H. Lustig, M.D., M.S.L., Professor emeritus of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Best-selling Author: Fat Chance, Metabolical
9:30 am
Investing in Food Is Health: The View from the Farm
Aaron Lee, General Manager, Cornerstone Family Farms
Lon Gretillat, VP Sales & Marketing, CropTrak
Kip Tom, Managing Member & CEO, Tom Farms
Moderator: Anthony Kingsley, Director, Impact & ESG, Benson Hill
10:00 am
Investing in Food Is Health: The View from Wall Street
Brian Holland, Managing Director & Senior Analyst, Cowen
Adam Samuelson, VP & Agribusiness Equity Research Analyst, Goldman Sachs
Ben Theurer, Director & Senior Analyst, Americas Agribusiness, Barclays
Moderator: Paul Noglows, former “Best on the Street” Senior Analyst, Internet & Media, Hambrecht & Quist and former Director of Research, Lazard Capital Markets
10:30 am
Break
Featuring coffee and fresh fruit juice
10:45 am
A Systems Approach to Food is Health
Kellie Lauth, CEO and President, MindSpark
Hollie Harris Phillips - CEO, Appalachian Regional Healthcare
Anastasia Cole Plakias, co-founder and COO, Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm
Rachel Atcheson, Deputy Strategist, Brooklyn Borough President's Office
Moderator: Geof Rochester, Director, App Harvest and Founder, GRC Advising
11:15 am
Investing in Food Is Health: Challenges & Opportunities
Matt Crisp, CEO & Co-founder, Benson Hill
Sanjeev Krishnan, Chief investment Officer, S2G Ventures
David Lee, President, AppHarvest
Moderator: Carter Williams, CEO, iSelect
NOON
Locally-sourced Farm-to-Table Lunch
Served rooftop at Brooklyn Grange
1:00 PM
The New Food System
An afternoon of concise 10-12 minute company presentations by grouping to investors on the main stage. Presenting company CEOs will be available to investors over the course of the afternoon at designated spots in and around the rooftop pavilion.
Better Ingredients Drive More Nutritious Food
Refined, processed food is literally killing us. If we want to improve human health, we have to start with the ingredients in the food we eat – higher macro and micro nutrient content, less processed, and fewer allergens.
Nature Can Treat Many Health Conditions
Almost 2/3’s of drugs are synthetic derivatives of natural compounds. Why don’t we just leverage what Mother Nature has already given us?
Digitizing Farm Operations
Agriculture is one of the least digitized industrial sectors. Bringing data and technology to the farm enables both operational and financial improvements.
Improving Soil Health and Sustainability
Synthetic chemistry dominates the crop inputs market across both nutrients and crop protection, but have significant negative health and environmental externalities. Biology reduces many of the negative externalities, but has not been as effective, until now.
Scaling Access to Nutritious Foods
DNA and RNA in Food, Ag and Human Health
Genetics are at the basis of all life and have the potential to dramatically change how we think about food, agriculture and human health.
4:30 pm
Food Is Health: The Path Forward
Q&A and discussion with forum speakers and investors focused on innovation and transformative investment opportunities
5:00 pm
Closing Networking Rooftop Cocktail Party Presented by Cowen
CONFIRMED COMPANIES
Crusonia and Brooklyn Grange will be following all NYC guidance and proof of vaccine will be required before entry to the rooftop. The venue is a sheltered, open-air rooftop farm and the event will be limited to 100 participants (50% capacity). All support staff will be masked.
NYC Proof of Vaccination Requirements
New York Marriot at the Brooklyn Bridge (4 star)
Not walkable to the venue.
Located right in Downtown Brooklyn. On site parking.
Near NRW subway station - 10 mins subway ride
Transport by uber/car service or subways 10-20 mins. traffic TBD on time of day.
Not walkable to the venue.
Located right near the Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Heights / DUMBO.
Transport by uber/car service, FERRY, or subways combo 20-30 mins. traffic TBD on time of day