Manulife Investment Management, Timberland and Agriculture

Are you looking to understand agribusiness? Hear what Casey Vetsch has to share about her roles and tips for women in the industry. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g_cQb3yJ #AgriBusiness #SustainableInvesting #NaturalCapital?

It’s National Farm to School Month in Washington state! In its honor, Governor Inslee has proclaimed October 2 as Taste Washington Day. This annual event celebrates the connection between farms and schools, offering Washington’s children the chance to enjoy and learn about the rich diversity of healthy, delicious, and locally produced foods. We are proud to be a part of providing fruits and vegetables, including cherries, apples, wheat, and potatoes to children across Washington, coming from more than 29,000 acres across the state. For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/3XOjN8C #FarmtoSchool #Farmer #Local

Proud to share that Manulife Investment Management is sponsoring students’ attendance at the Women in Agribusiness Summit and this year Kayla Allen, who is studying for her Master of Agribusiness at Kansas State University, will have the chance to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping agribusiness today. For event details, visit https://www.womeninag.com/

Check this out! Our COO of Farmland Services, Kevin Wright, was a guest on The Modern Acre?podcast last week. This episode discusses #regenerative agriculture, our different crop platforms, Kevin’s family farm in Arkansas, and so much more. Make sure to give this episode a listen. Way to go, Kevin!

Can you imagine what it must feel like for a forester to find a rare tree? Assuming foresters love trees (we hope!), finding a rare tree is like finding gold at the end of the rainbow. Our team in Western Texas surveyed property with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to document the only known occurrence of Beech trees in Anderson County, Texas. This is believed to be the most Westerly occurrence of Beech in the entire United States. The trees are potentially 200-300 years old! Stay tuned for updates on how the Texas team will preserve this rare occurrence. #Conservation #BeechTree

Finding labor in small rural towns can be difficult, especially when resources are limited. We care about these small towns, especially since our team members live, learn, and work in the communities that we operate in. Our cranberry team based out of Wisconsin Rapids recognized its rural community's struggles, so they stepped up to help some local cemeteries prepare for their Memorial Day services. The crew mowed lawns, trimmed around stones, and leveled gravel in the driveways at Restlawn Memorial Park. It made a difference in the cemetery’s appearance and members of the town board and those who attended the services were very appreciative. We love seeing our team members living company values every day. Good stewardship is good business! #Community #Stewardship

Way to go Robert! We are so proud of you and the Alabama team!

Did you know that dead and dying trees are beneficial to wildlife? It’s true! During harvest or thinning, our foresters save these trees, or snags, for the wildlife habitat they provide. As a tree reaches the end of its lifespan, it slowly deteriorates, and soon finds itself a host for insects, fungi, and bacteria. The nutrients held inside the tree are eaten by these invaders and returned to the soil below. Insects lay their eggs under the bark, ensuring a new generation of essential decomposers in the environment. Larger insects, birds, and some small mammals join in on the feast, eating the insects burrowing below the bark. As birds such as woodpeckers create holes digging for food, other birds or animals can modify the holes to live in. Cavities bored into the snag become homes or shelters for various animals, including owls, bats, squirrels, and even bees, protecting the snag’s residents. Our foresters work hard to respect the integrity and legacy of the old forests as well as the wildlife that call this site home. #Snags #ForestManagement #Wildlife

Our Economic Research Team is hiring! If you have expertise in forestry, carbon, economics, or other related areas, check this out! The Economic Research Team aims to grow the business alongside expanding investment opportunities in Natural Capital, which includes timberland, farmland, and nature-based climate solutions. In this role, you will support the generation and delivery of actionable analysis and market forecasts that incorporate the latest available information on supply, demand, prices, costs, and policy to help inform investment strategy. To find out more or apply: https://lnkd.in/ejSKDqGH #Hiring

Join us in congratulating Kerry, our escrow and integration manager, on receiving her Accredited Farm Manager (AFM) accreditation! To receive her accreditation, Kerry completed five Agriculture Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers?(ASFMRA) courses, including four Ag Land Management courses and Best in Business Ethics. Other requirements for the accreditation include four years of farm/ranch management experience; a four-year college degree or equivalent; preparation of a farm management plan, demonstrating Kerry’s ability to produce management plans according to the standards of ASFMRA; and passing the final AFM Accreditation Exam. “I chose to earn an AFM because I was looking for an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, and AFM was a great way to put my fourteen years of farm management and real estate/transaction experience together,” said Kerry. She was also excited that ASFMRA offered an accelerated online course where she could achieve this accreditation quickly without the expense of travel funds or giving up time away from her home ranch. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement, Kerry! #AccreditedFarmManager