Let’s bring regenerative agriculture to NYC.

APRIL 22 - 23 2025 | 250+ attendees | Earth Day!

The Newlab, Brooklyn, New York | 📅 Add to Google Calendar

FOR INVESTORS

FOR NONPROFITS

FOR FARMERS

FOR STARTUPS

FOR STUDENTS

FOR INVESTORS FOR NONPROFITS FOR FARMERS FOR STARTUPS FOR STUDENTS

Hosted at:

Newlab was erected from the ruins of a turn-of-the-century naval shipyard in Brooklyn and is home to entrepreneurs, inventors, investors, and optimists working together to address critical challenges in energy, mobility, and materials.

2025 SPEAKERS

Anthony Corsaro

Anthony Corsaro

Founder, ReGen Brands

Angela Ferguson

Angela Ferguson

Braiding the Sacred

John Kempf

John Kempf

Founder, Advancing Eco Agriculture

Dawn Lebeau

Dawn Lebeau

Senior Program Officer, Akiptan

AGENDA

Tuesday, April 22 (Earth Day!)

  • Registration & coffee

  • Speakers: Cortlandt Meyerson (Why Regenerative), Jackson Baris (Why Regenerative)

  • Speakers: Angela Ferguson (Braiding the Sacred), Spencer Lyons (Haudenosaunee Hawk Clan), Lea Zeise (United South and Eastern Tribes)


    Angela Ferguson of Braiding the Sacred other leaders are working to have traditional seed varieties returned to their communities. This session will explore the role of seedbanks, the process of rematriation, and the challenges of reclaiming and growing ancestral seeds. Following the panel, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a Barter & Trade Market outside the main lecture hall.

  • Speaker: Klaas Martens (Lakeview Organic Grain)


    Discover how farmers can avoid chemical inputs by harnessing nature’s own creative pest control strategies. This session will feature practical insights into integrating biodiversity, beneficial insects, and ecological balance to manage pests sustainably.

  • Speaker: Kat Morgan (Rockefeller Foundation)

    Kat will present the Rockefeller Foundation’s plan to serve 100 million children regenerative school meals, supporting local farmers and reducing emissions. With success in Brazil and Kenya, the initiative boosts nutrition and resilience. Partners are invited to join efforts to scale regenerative procurement globally.

  • Speaker: Anthony Myint (Zero Foodprint)

    Agriculture can transition as quickly as renewable energy with collaboration across sectors. By directly transforming farming instead of just influencing eating habits, we can drive rapid change. This session explores case studies of collective action accelerating regeneration.

  • Coffee from Utopian Coffee and tea from Wild Orchard, both regenerative organic certified!

  • Try products from SIMPLi, Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed, Simple Mills, Sol Simple, Artisan Tropic, and more!

    Menu:

    Caesar Salad
    Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
    Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
    Pan Roasted Cod
    Mushroom Linguini
    Rice with Carrots & Celery
    Quinoa
    Mexican Black Bean Salad

  • Speaker: Greg Bohlen (Union Grove Farm & UG Venture Partners)

    Regenerative agriculture is not just an environmental movement—it’s an economic opportunity. This session will present market projections and tangible analysis from leading research firms, highlighting the growing demand for regeneratively produced food and the financial viability of these practices.

  • Speaker: Kate MacKenzie (NYC Office of Food Policy)

    The NYC Office of Food Policy is advancing its 10-year plan to ensure food access, support businesses, and promote sustainability. By shifting diets in 219 million city-served meals and tracking $500M in purchases, they can drive transparency and change.

  • Speakers: Christopher Gergen (ROA), Alexandra Lunt (Armonia)

    This session explores scaling the Regenerative Organic movement by driving demand, increasing supply, and amplifying impact. Experts will discuss how brands, policies, and investments can accelerate the transition, providing the capital needed to create lasting change.

  • From grain to glass, some in the spirits industry are embracing regenerative agriculture. Hear from leaders who are crafting beverages with soil health in mind, creating market demand for regeneratively grown ingredients, and reshaping the industry’s relationship with farmers.

  • Try drinks made with regenerative organic certified vodka and gin from Anytime Spiritz and wine from Grgich Hills Estate Winery! We’ll also have incredible cheese curtesy of Jasper Hill Farm and crackers from Artisan Tropic and Simple Mills.

  • Join us for the inaugural Regen Film Festival happening during RegenerativeNYC 2025! celebrating films that explore regenerative practices and sustainable food systems. Sponsored by Why Regenerative and WonderMapper, this festival brings conversations about regeneration into urban spaces through cinema. The festival takes place as a showcase as part of RegenerativeNYC 2025.

    We showcase films highlighting how regenerative approaches restore biodiversity and create resilient ecosystems. Filmmakers exploring regenerative agriculture, environmental stewardship, and community building are invited to submit their work!

    This event should end around 7:30PM EST!

*subject to change*

Wednesday, April 23

  • Registration & coffee

  • Speakers: Cortlandt Meyerson (Why Regenerative), Jackson Baris (Why Regenerative)

  • Speakers: Dawn Lebeau (Akiptan), Chanel Ford (NAAF), Wayne Ducheneaux (IAC), Kelsey Scott (IAC)

    This session will explore investment opportunities that align with ecological stewardship, successful funding models, and tangible solutions for supporting Native farmers and ranchers. Speakers will share case studies, highlight innovative collaborations, and offer a call to action for investors, philanthropists, and policymakers to drive meaningful change now.

  • Speaker: Sarah Day Lvesque (RFSI)


    A broad overview of recent changes in the investment landscape in regenerative agriculture.

  • Speakers: Martin Lemos (Dirt Capital), Paul McMahon (SLM Partners) , Francisco Roque de Pinho (The Land Group) Sarah Day Levesque (RFSI)

    With farmland increasingly controlled by investors, what does this mean for those who steward the land? This panel will explore the models for land ownership depending on context and desired outcomes, and the long-term impact on regenerative agriculture.

  • Coffee from Utopian Coffee and tea from Wild Orchard, both regenerative organic certified!

  • Speaker: John Kempf (Advancing Eco Agriculture)

    Contrary to the common belief of yield declines during the regenerative transition, farmers can maintain yields and improve harvest quality with careful agronomy management. By balancing biological nutrition with reduced chemical inputs and investing in soil remineralization, immediate benefits are achievable. This session explores strategies for a smooth, successful transition.

  • Try products from SIMPLi, Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed, Simple Mills, Sol Simple, Artisan Tropic, and more!

    Menu:

    Caesar Salad
    Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
    Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
    Pan Roasted Cod
    Mushroom Linguini
    Rice with Carrots & Celery
    Quinoa
    Mexican Black Bean Salad

  • Speakers:

    Amanda Hartt (Sol Simple), Leah Wolfe (Simple Mills), Matt Cohen (SIMPLi)

    What does it take for brands to truly support regenerative farmers? Representatives from leading companies will share the realities of sourcing directly from farmers, balancing supply chain challenges, and pushing for regenerative transitions.

  • Speakers: Gabriel Morales (Brandworkers), Tagan Engel (Yale & The Table Underground), Steph Wiley (Brooklyn Packers), Doug Adams (ESMC) 

    A just food system requires equitable access to land, capital, and markets. This session brings together leaders working to create inclusive supply chains, empower marginalized communities, and ensure economic viability for diverse food producers.

  • Speakers: Russ Wallack (Breadtree Farms), Calla Rose Ostrander (Terra Regenerative Capital), Charley Cummings (Walden Mutual Bank)


    One of the biggest barriers to scaling regenerative agriculture is the lack of mid-sized processing and distribution infrastructure. This panel will discuss innovative funding models, partnerships, and policy shifts needed to bridge the gap and build a resilient supply chain.

  • Speakers: Kelsey Chan (Yardstick), Dan Kane (Mad Ag), Courtland Kelley (Corteva Agriscience), A.J. Kumar (Indigo Ag)

    This panel will explore the challenges of measuring soil carbon, from overlooked MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) issues to misconceptions in the field. Experts will discuss key differences across carbon markets, agricultural contexts, and the trade-offs between measurement rigor and scale.

  • Cortlandt Meyerson (Why Regenerative)

  • Hear from organizations in regenerative and sustainable agriculture on available internships, jobs, board seats, and other roles!

What else to do at RegenerativeNYC?


  • 6:15 PM, APRIL 22

    We’re partnering with Wondermapper Productions to show a series of short films on regenerative agriculture and food systems. Sit back and enjoy some regenerative snacks!

    FREE TO ALL CONFERENCE ATTENDEES.

    Not attending the conference? See More Details.


  • 5:15 PM, APRIL 23

    Come hear from organizations in the space with opportunities in regenerative agriculture including internships, projects, jobs, and board seats. Organizations involved include Regen Brands, ASLF, Philosopher Foods, Breadtrees Farm, SLM Partners, and more!

    FREE TO ALL CONFERENCE ATTENDEES.

  • Check out Brooklyn Grange’s rooftop farm just a few blocks away from the venue.

    Details & Registration Coming Soon!

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2024 RECAP

Last year’s speakers, attendees & brands.