THE TEAM
Michael Kaplan
Founder – Belltown Farms
Michael is one of the founders of Belltown, responsible for fundraising and deal sourcing. Prior to Belltown, Michael was a partner at Albion Ventures LLP where he helped to establish Albion as one of the pioneering investors in the UK’s community-scale renewable energy sector. Prior to Albion, Michael worked at The Boston Consulting Group and before that, the Chief Financial Officer of Widevine Technologies, a security software company (sold to Google in 2010). Michael has a BA from the University of Washington and an MBA from INSEAD.
Tom Hill-Norton
Founder – Belltown Farms
Tom is one of the founders of Belltown, responsible for deal sourcing, execution, and managing the transaction team. His career has focused on investing in sustainable infrastructure projects since the end of 2006. He worked with the energy investment team at Actis on renewable energy investments in emerging markets and raised and invested a series of renewable energy funds for Guinness Asset Management in the UK. Prior to 2006, Tom worked in corporate finance (with JP Morgan, Flemings, and Fredericks Michael) and strategy consultancy with The Boston Consulting Group. Tom has an MA (Hons) from The University of Edinburgh and an MBA from INSEAD. Together with his siblings, Tom manages his family hill farm in Cornwall,
ABOUT US
SUSTAINABILITY
WHAT WE DO
Belltown operates farm “hubs” across the US. Target farm sizes allow us to make optimal use of staff and machinery, while also giving the space for a multi-species rotation of small grains, legumes, cover crops, and livestock. Belltown currently has 3 farming locations.
- Corn belt – we operate in Illinois and Michigan; first acquisition 2019; certified organic
- Plains – we operate in Nebraska; first acquisition 2020; certified organic
- Delta – we operate in Texas; first acquisition 2021; certified organic
PRODUCTS
Belltown’s farms grow a range of certified organic grains and beans, including the following crops. We are able to deliver by truck or rail. For a more complete list or to discuss crop varieties, delivery options or custom contracting, please contact Andrew Smyre – asmyre@belltownfarms.com
- Wheat (winter and spring varieties)
- Barley (malting and food varieties)
- Buckwheat
- Oats
- Peas
- Corn (organic and non-GMO)
- Soybeans (organic, non-GMO and food grade)
- Dry beans (black beans, kidney beans, navy beans, white beans)
- Hay (grass, alfalfa)
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE
Belltown Farms believes that diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice are fundamental to the success of our company and our mission. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment by promoting diversity in our workforce and attracting the brightest individuals from all cultural backgrounds. Diversity, equity, inclusion and justice are core to our culture and are a continuing focus as we grow.
Belltown Farms is committed to achieving equity for all employees by providing a demonstrably supportive environment, which provides equality of opportunity and freedom from discrimination on the grounds of race, color, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, marital or civil union status, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, age, veteran status, or social class.