A Growth Equity Fund for Ag & Food Business Solutions
Who we are
Forage Capital Ag & Food Business Solutions Fund is a $150MM growth equity fund that invests along the entire agriculture and food industry value chain. The fund focuses on companies that have suffered a significant disruption to their business model.
Forage’s experienced investors have spent the last 20 years investing in:
- Crop inputs
- Primary food production and processing
- Equipment manufacturing
- Branded food companies
The Forage team can work with management to stabilize their business and set new growth priorities that capitalize on the innovative opportunities that will emerge as the Canadian economy recovers and prospers.
Areas targeted by the fund
Food processing and manufacturing
Crop inputs and fertilizer businesses
Manufacturers of farm equipment or food processing/monitoring equipment
Distribution, merchandising, and logistics companies
Latest News Releases
Ostara Secures Certified Organic Registration of Recovered Nutrients for Crop Production
Farmers in the EU Can Grow Crops Sustainably with Crystal Green Pearl®
ST. LOUIS (APRIL 17, 2024) – Ostara Europe (UK) LTD has secured the world’s first, pure struvite, fully recovered crop nutrition source approved for use in alignment with the rigorous standards of the EU organic legislation and the Dutch Input list. Crystal Green Pearl® is now registered for use in certified organic farming in both Austria and the Netherlands.
“This certification signifies our deep commitment to globally foster sustainable, efficient and environmentally friendly farming practices,” says Monty Bayer, chief executive officer at Ostara. “Crystal Green Pearl perfectly aligns with EU organic standards, marking a significant step forward in the journey towards increasingly sustainable agriculture.”
Crystal Green Pearl is a granular fertilizer with an analysis of 5% Nitrogen (N), 28% Phosphorus Pentoxide (P2O5), and 10% Magnesium/16% Magnesium Oxide (MgO). This one-of-a-kind fertilizer source is produced with Ostara’s nutrient recovery solutions that recover nutrients from wastewater and prevent excess, water soluble nutrients from entering global water systems.
“Conventional phosphate fertilizers are inefficient, a finite resource and can be harmful to the environment. With Crystal Green Pearl, we’re closing the phosphorus loop by taking the nutrients from wastewater and producing a high-efficiency fertilizer that meets the needs of both organic and conventional growers while protecting the environment,” Bayer adds.
Crystal Green Pearl is minimally water-soluble, although it's 100% soluble in weak organic acids naturally exuded from plants. This maximizes nutrient availability and eliminates the environmental issues often associated with conventional, water-soluble fertilizers. Crystal Green Pearl is the only sustainable crop nutrition source that is entirely free from animal byproducts and aligned with the standards of modern organic agriculture.
Explore Crystal Green Pearl’s certification here.
About Ostara | Crystal Green
Ostara’s Crystal Green® fertilizers are the first and only highly efficient phosphate fertilizers to release nutrients in response to crop demand. Crystal Green fertilizers are proven to maximize yield, enhance soil health and significantly reduce phosphate tie-up, runoff and leaching, thereby improving food security while protecting the environment. Crystal Green fertilizers play a key role in the agriculture and turf & ornamental sectors through a network of established retailers and distributors in North America and Europe. To learn more about Ostara’s crop nutrition and wastewater treatment portfolio, please visit ostara.com/products.
About Ostara
Ostara was founded in 2005 with the primary goal of feeding the world while protecting it. Ostara’s fertilizer portfolio and nutrient recovery technologies reduce the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen released into the environment. The global reach of Ostara’s products and technology positively impacts the agriculture and wastewater industries and empowers them to do more with less. Learn more about the Ostara story at ostara.com.
S3 Group Ltd. Acquires Power Pin Inc.
S3 Group Ltd. has officially announced today, their acquisition of Power Pin Inc.
November 8, 2023, SWIFT CURRENT, SK — S3 Group Ltd. has officially announced today, their acquisition of Power Pin Inc.
Created by industry innovator Brian Olson in 1989, Power Pin will continue to operate in the beautiful community of Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan. With many patented products to their credit, Power Pin has specialized in a range of products that provide a standardized hitch system for both heavy equipment and on-road applications. This system provides superior ease of use, security and operator safety. This is achieved in part, by allowing for equipment attachment without the operator leaving their seat. Many of the largest tractor manufacturers in the world include Power Pin products such as the “Drop-pin Hammer Strap Hitch” as standard factory safety and usability features.
S3 Group CEO, Richelle Andreas states, “I have tremendous respect for the innovation and vision that Brian Olson incorporated in Power Pin. They have demonstrated a corporate culture of innovation, customer responsiveness, and the development of world-class products that improve efficiency — and most importantly, save lives. This acquisition makes S3 and Power Pin stronger and I am excited about what it means for our future.”
Headquartered in Swift Current, Saskatchewan and approaching its 58th year in agricultural manufacturing, S3 Group now operates seven facilities in five locations in Canada and the US. With a focus on products and innovation that contribute to responsible and sustainable farming practices, S3 Group provides engineering and manufacturing solutions to some of the world’s most recognized brands in agricultural equipment. In addition, S3 Group has also developed a growing portfolio of patented S3-branded products across several product categories such as grain aeration fans, pneumatic systems for airseeders, combine airbars, tynes, complex wire forming, and harrows.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Daniel Engel
Director of Marketing
daniel.engel@S3GroupLtd.com
S3 Group Announces Alberta Investment and Funding
Government of Alberta announces its investment into S3's expansion in Alberta.
October 18, 2023
MEDICINE HAT, ALBERTA — At an event held today at S3 Group's newest location, the Government of Alberta announced its investment into S3's expansion into Alberta. The event was attended by esteemed leaders and dignitaries, including Alberta Premier and MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat, Premier Danielle Smith; Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade, Honourable Minister Matt Jones; CEO of Invest Alberta, Rick Christiaanse; and Mayor of Medicine Hat, Her Worship Linnsie Clark.
S3 Group's decision to expand and invest $7 Million into developing its Medicine Hat facility is supported by the Government of Alberta's Investment and Growth Fund (IGF) through a $1.3 Million targeted investment. Over the next five years, S3 Group plans to generate over 100 full-time jobs with careers in assembly, fabrication, welding, painting, accounting, administration, product design, and engineering.
The newly acquired facility, comprising over 22,000 square feet of office and manufacturing space, will also become home to the Company's engineering centre of excellence, with its metallurgical lab and various testing equipment supporting new product development.
Richelle Andreas, CEO of S3 Group, expressed her gratitude for the collaborative support they received: "The Government of Alberta's investment in the IGF program demonstrates a commitment to economic growth, diversification, and job creation. Working with the teams at Invest Alberta, the City of Medicine Hat, and other regional stakeholders, it was clear how much they genuinely wanted to help our project succeed. For that, I am grateful. It reassures me that expanding into Southeast Alberta was the right decision."
Andreas further emphasized the Company's dedication and energy: "S3’s commitment to giving back to our communities, providing high-touch customer service, and embracing a culture of continuous improvement is a good fit with the people of Medicine Hat. This community has a legacy of innovation, ingenuity, and hard work — and we are proud to be a part of it.”
About S3 Group Ltd.
Headquartered in Swift Current, Saskatchewan and approaching its 58th year in agricultural manufacturing, S3 Group operates five facilities in three communities across North America. With a focus on products and innovation that contribute to sustainable farming practices, S3 Group provides engineering and manufacturing solutions to some of the world’s most recognized brands in agricultural equipment. In addition, S3 has also developed a growing portfolio of patented S3-branded products across several product categories such as grain aeration fans, pneumatic systems for air seeders, and combine airbars.
S3's corporate values of Integrity, Character, Honour, and Joy are at the heart of its engagements with all the communities in which it operates. The Company sponsors numerous regional events, bursaries, scholarships, and sponsorships, focusing on long-term, positive, family-oriented community building.
Media Contact:
Daniel Engel, Director of Marketing
daniel.engel@S3GroupLtd.com