WHO WE ARE
In 2016, Michael Kaplan and Tom Hill-Norton, two long-time friends and business partners, saw an opportunity. The American eater was overwhelmingly choosing organic food and, the U.S. food supply chain was struggling to keep up. They launched Belltown Farms with the belief that farming can meet the needs of today, while protecting our planet for future generations.
Belltown regenerative farming provides an opportunity to have a positive impact on soil health, biodiversity, carbon emissions, and local communities. And, at the same time, supply high-quality ingredients to the expanding organic industry. Belltown builds partnerships with leaders in the American food and beverage industry to provide consistent organic supply chains.
Today, Belltown Farms owns and operates more than 10,000 acres in the U.S., transitioning land to USDA certified organic, and operating these farms in line with regenerative principles. In the next few years, Belltown aims to acquire and operate 50,000+ acres of farmland across the US.
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, of between 1,000 and 5,000 acres. This target farm size allows 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 8 farming hubs and will grow that in the next few years in line with its goals to operate 50,000+ acres across the US.
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.