Cultivating Change: Agriculture at the Heart of the Energy - Technology Nexus

At the Faegre Drinker 2025 Food & Agribusiness National Conference, finance and restructuring partner Deanna Reitman joined industry leaders to explore “Agriculture at the Heart of Energy – Restoring the Living Grid." They explored how the USA's real energy crisis lies beneath our feet collapsing aquifers, eroding soils, and the loss of the carbon-rich topsoil that stores life's energy.

As agribusiness embraces new technology to support energy sector models, it plays an increasingly pivotal role in the global transition to sustainability and energy security. Innovators in the agribusiness, technology and energy sectors will explore how agricultural land, infrastructure and supply chains are being reimagined in a low-carbon economy. This panel examined legal and strategic considerations around carbon markets, bioenergy and digital AgTech — highlighting the role of agriculture not just as a stakeholder, but as a central driver of the energy transition. Panelists shared insights on navigating regulatory hurdles, structuring cross-sector partnerships, and managing sustainability-related risks and opportunities.