FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUSTIN, TX – March 31, 2025 – Downland, a fintech startup dedicated to supporting land succession and regenerative agriculture, proudly announces that CEO and Founder Jessi Roesch has been selected as a 2025 Young Agri-Food Leader by the prestigious Farm Foundation. This recognition highlights Roesch's significant contributions to addressing critical challenges in agricultural succession planning and regenerative farming practices.

The Farm Foundation Young Agri-Food Leader program identifies and nurtures emerging leaders in food and agribusiness between the ages of 25-40, engaging them in a yearlong series of interactive learning and networking experiences. The program aims to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the food and agriculture value chain while building a strong network of peers across business, farming, and government sectors.

"I'm deeply honored to join this cohort of innovative leaders who are shaping the future of agriculture," said Roesch. "This opportunity aligns perfectly with Downland's mission to ensure the next generation of farmers has access to land while promoting regenerative practices that benefit both agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability."

Roesch was nominated for the award by Robbie Dye, co-founder and CEO of Our Farms, an online retail marketplace featuring over 20,000 American farms. "Jessi embodies a powerful vision for the future of agriculture—one that starts with the Farmer," said Dye. "Her leadership at Downland, combined with the Farm Foundation's mission and resources, will undoubtedly amplify her impact in shaping a stronger, more resilient food system."

As part of this prestigious program, Roesch will receive sponsorship to attend key industry events, engage in virtual conversations with agricultural experts, and access exclusive learning opportunities. She will also be paired with a senior agri-food mentor to support her professional development and leadership growth. Participants in the program have the valuable opportunity to attend Farm Foundation Round Table meetings and join other high-level industry events such as Farm Foundation Forums.

Roesch's selection comes at a pivotal time in American agriculture. According to USDA data, over 70% of U.S. farms are expected to change hands in the next two decades, representing more than 1.5 million family farms. Through Downland, Roesch has been addressing this challenge by helping families create succession plans to protect their agricultural legacy and connecting landowners without heirs to trained regenerative practitioners.

Under Roesch's leadership, Downland has gained significant recognition in the agricultural technology space, including a recent feature in Foodbytes by Rabobank's 2024 report, "Harnessing Sustainable Business Models to Catalyze Growth." The company's innovative approach to succession planning emphasizes carbon measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) skills as fundamental to building resilient and economically viable farms.

The 2025 Young Agri-Food Leaders cohort represents diverse sectors of the agricultural industry. Fellow honorees include Mary Akinyuwa with Corteva Agriscience, Molly Grotjan with John Deere, Amy Jancewicz PhD with CropVue Technologies, Zach McGee with Simmons Foods, Emily M. with Rodale Institute, Mikayla (Sullivan) Mooney with Ag Startup Engine, and Amy Tannhauser with OSI Group.

"We're seeing a critical transition in American agriculture that requires innovative approaches to land access and sustainability," added Roesch. "Programs like the Farm Foundation's Young Agri-Food Leader initiative create valuable connections across the industry that will help us collectively address these challenges. I'm looking forward to learning from my peers and bringing these insights back to enhance Downland's impact on regenerative agriculture."

Downland's work focuses on making regenerative agriculture economically viable by improving land access for young farmers while helping current landowners create succession plans. The company's approach aligns environmental stewardship with economic opportunity, as research from Boston Consulting Group indicates that farms adopting regenerative practices are 120% more profitable due to reduced dependency on chemical inputs and improved soil health.

About Downland. Downland is dedicated to accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture by improving land access for young farmers. Through estate and succession planning, Downland empowers families who wish to keep their farm in agriculture even if there's not an heir interested in carrying on the operation by matching with a skilled farmer in search of land.

Media Contact: hello@godownland.com