SILVER SPRING, MD, January 24, 2019 — Mercaris, a data service company bringing market intelligence to sustainable agriculture, will announce its new initiative — Mercoterra — at the 12th annual Land Investment Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday, January 25, 2019. Building on its current suite of solutions, Mercaris is launching Mercoterra to compare the value of certified organic row crop farmland with conventional farmland, providing further insight and transparency into the organic industry.

Mercaris will conduct the Mercoterra initiative in partnership with Peoples Company and Midwestern BioAg. Together, the companies invite industry players to participate in the initial feasibility study. Participants will receive an exclusive white paper outlining the findings of certified organic farmland as an asset class. In addition, phase one participants will receive an entry invitation into phase two of the initiative.

“We are honored to partner with Mercaris, working to bring the Mercoterra initiative to life for the agricultural market,” said Ben Adolph, director of farmland sustainability at Midwestern BioAg. “Until now, there has been limited analysis surrounding the state of the organic market and more importantly, little insight has been shared with the sector in a way that enables organizations, farmers, banks and others to make informed choices. This important initiative will help break down the many barriers that stand in the way of organic farmland expansion.”

The first phase of the two-part initiative intends to compare certified organic farmland values to comparable conventional farmland values, hypothesizing that the monetary incentive (and risk) of certified organic crops includes increased land value, not just crop prices. With confirmation of this hypothesis, phase two of the Mercoterra initiative will launch the development and application of a digital tool that helps stakeholders understand the monetary value of certified organic farmland.

“Recognized as a world-class conference and a top gathering place for our nation’s agricultural leaders, it is with great excitement that we commence phase one of the Mercoterra initiative at the Land Investment Expo,” said Jessie Bovay, director of business development at Mercaris. “Through this process, our entire agricultural network will gain a monetary understanding of U.S. organic farmland — helping make the essential decisions needed for the future growth of our market.”

As panelists in the expo’s break out session titled “Making Organic Production a Reality,” Bovay and Adolph will outline today’s organic land values and the case-study driven process of establishing organic values. • When: January 25, 2019 from 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. • Where: Iowa Event Center, 833 5th Avenue Des Moines, IA 50309, Room 310

To learn more about the Mercoterra initiative please contact jessie.bovay@mercaris.com or visit the Mercaris team at Land Investment Expo Booth #7.

For more information about Mercaris, please visit www.mercaris.com.

About Mercaris

Since 2013, Mercaris has been helping its customers capitalize on growing demand for organic and non-GMO foods by providing market access and services tailored to the needs of the identity-preserved agriculture industry. Mercaris focuses its data and services on identity-preserved commodities, including organic and non-GMO corn, soybean, meal, and wheat markets across all regions of the United States and Canada, and recently launched an organic dairy initiative. Mercaris also maintains an online Auctions Platform, a pioneering tool that enables buyers and sellers to find new markets and more profitably trade organic and non-GMO commodities.

Media Contacts Chelsey Kruger | chelsey.kruger@mercaris.com | (480) 775-8880

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