Next Gen Agri Fund
Overview
Seedling Next Gen Agri Limited Partnership is targeting 9% pre-tax IRR returns through strategic investment in New Zealand's agricultural future.
When Seedling was founded by Seb Chapman, a former young farmer himself, we identified a critical gap: connecting talented young farmers with the capital needed to enter and transform the industry while providing attractive returns for investors.
In 2025, with the New Zealand agriculture sector driving 79% of export revenue and facing a looming succession crisis (average farmer age well over 50), Seedling offers a unique solution that benefits all stakeholders.
Seedling is now inviting applications from wholesale investors to participate in the Seedling Next Gen Agri Limited Partnership with a focus on sustainable dairy farming and regenerative practices.
- The Fund is targeting acquisition of up to 5,000 hectares of prime New Zealand agricultural assets
- Our initial acquisition is Centrewood Dairy Farm, a 468ha property in Canterbury's prime dairy region
- The minimum investment is $50,000 NZD
This offer is available now to wholesale investors as defined under the FMCA.
Investment Highlights
- Target 9% pre-tax IRR with annual cash distributions starting from year 2 (target minimum 5%)
- Multiple income streams – traditional dairy production plus emerging revenue from carbon sequestration and renewable energy
- Strong asset backing with total farm assets including land, livestock, and infrastructure
- Potential for significant capital growth as properties transition to more sustainable practices
- Our model directly aligns farmer and investor interests through innovative equity partnerships
- Electrification and solar initiatives at Centrewood already projected to save $55,000 annually in operating costs
- Environmental enhancement through multi-species pastures, carbon sequestration, and reduced fossil fuel usage
The Seedling Next Gen Agri Limited Partnership is open only to wholesale investors under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.
To request the complete Investment Memorandum and learn more about risks, fees, and factors affecting returns, click on the "Sign up for info" button.
For a personal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Seb Chapman directly at seb@seedling-investments.com.
This investment opportunity is exclusively available to investors who qualify as “wholesale investors” under the exemptions outlined in Schedule 1, clauses 3(2)(a)-(c) and 3(3)(a)-(b)(ii) of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (FMCA). For more details on FMCA requirements and to determine if you meet these exemption criteria, visit the FMCA website here.
Retail investors are not eligible for this offer.
Initial target area:
Waimate
,
Canterbury
Waimate is a small town located in the South Island of New Zealand, situated in the southern Canterbury region, about 40 kilometers south of Timaru.
History
Waimate has a rich history that predates European settlement. Māori inhabited the area for centuries before European arrival, with the name "Waimate" deriving from Māori words that roughly translate to "slow-moving water." European settlement began in the 1850s, with the town formally established in the 1870s. The area was initially densely forested, and much of Waimate's early economic development was tied to timber milling. The famous "Waimate white pine" (kahikatea) was a valuable resource that drove early industry.
A significant figure in Waimate's history was Michael Studholme, who established one of the first large sheep stations in the area in 1854. His homestead, "Te Waimate," became an important landmark. By the late 19th century, as forests were cleared, Waimate transitioned to a predominantly agricultural economy. The introduction of refrigerated shipping in the 1880s allowed New Zealand farmers, including those in Waimate, to export meat and dairy products to Britain, transforming the local economy.
The town is also known for its historic connection to wallabies. In the late 19th century, Bennett's wallabies were introduced from Australia and have established a wild population in the area, becoming both a tourist attraction and occasionally an agricultural pest.
Funding Sustainable Farming
Soil health
Through adopting a variety of regenerative agriculture principles this property provides a unique opportunity to huge improvement in soil health. Namely the principles we will adopt are: Balance macro and micro nutrients, introduce carbon source (Bio char, humates), Multi species pastures, and reduction in synthetic fertilizer.
Native - Hybrid forestry
The hill block of this farm provides a great opportunity to plant for carbon, but we plan to do it for biodiversity too. A Redwood, native mix will be used to optimize bot the carbon mass through the redwoods but also provide biodiversity and habitat via the natives.
Solar + Batteries
By adding a 170kw of solar we get a reduction in roughly 24t CO2 production.
Why we like this foundation asset
Turn-Key asset with strong cash flow:
The current acquisition price represents strong capital uplift and cashflow positive position for investors from launch at base value. Then with the added production bonuses by increasing irrigation, and changes in management practices to include regen principles we are optimistic about the available upside.
Multiple revenue streams:
This farm uniquely stood out to us for the ability to increase the carbon revenue by planting unproductive hill sides, along with gathering carbon revenue from the carbon sequestrated in the soil. There is also an option to export power to the grid generated by the solar and any arbitraging of the wholesale market.
Top tier operators:
We have a young family coming on a the first of June that have shown a high level of attention to detail and deep knowledge of farming systems with a proven track record.