HARRISONBURG, Va.–Shenandoah Valley Organic (SVO) announced it closed a $15 million funding round led by NRV with participation from Open Prairie, as well as existing investors S2G Ventures and Middleland Capital’s VTC Innovation Fund.
Founded in 2014 by CEO Corwin Heatwole, SVO produces the Farmer Focus™ brand, a mission-based, values-driven organic meat brand that provides best-in-class traceability. A sixth-generation farmer himself, Heatwole revolutionized the industry by creating sustainable, innovative partnerships between SVO and family farms. These partnerships allow farmers to retain ownership and grow profitability while also providing traceable, organic meat.
“We are pleased to add investors and advisors to the SVO team who share in our vision and mission, and offer deep expertise across the retail and supply chain,” explained Heatwole. “This investment will enable SVO to continue expanding our retail footprint and Farmer Focus brand offerings.” The company intends to use the funds for investments in plant modernization to increase throughput volumes, as well as expanded marketing and brand outreach focused on growing Farmer Focus fresh and value-add product sales in leading grocery stores and retail locations throughout the United States.
“Shenandoah Valley Organic is an incredible growth story out of Harrisonburg, VA, and NRV is excited to be part of their future as they continue to expand the Farmer Focus organic meat brand. Their best-in-class traceability links products on the shelf back to the specific family farm that sourced them, providing transparency along with a high-quality, clean-label, organic product,” said Laura Markley, Managing Director at NRV. NRV is a Richmond, VA-based venture capital firm that invests in early stage, high growth companies led by exceptional teams.
Open Prairie joined the round through the Open Prairie Rural Opportunities Fund, a growth-stage private equity fund dedicated to providing capital to agribusiness companies throughout rural America. Open Prairie partner Jason Wrone stated, “SVO truly embodies the spirit of rural America and is well positioned for explosive growth. The Farmer Focus brand personifies the company’s emphasis on developing and maintaining strong relationships with its growers and preserving smaller, independent family farms while also implementing innovative technologies to produce high-quality products for today’s health and environmentally-conscious consumers.”
About Shenandoah Valley Organic
Shenandoah Valley Organic (SVO) was founded in 2014 by Corwin Heatwole, a life-long farmer who wanted to revolutionize his industry by creating a process that ensures farms are sustainable and profitable for the next generation.
Headquartered in Harrisonburg, VA, SVO is an organic meat company that prides itself on treating farmers with dignity and respect, as well as having the highest standards for raising animals. Through the Farmer Focus Business Model, farmers are true partners: they receive fair compensation for their hard work and have the freedom to make decisions for their own businesses. SVO’s deep commitment to farmers, animals, and environmental stewardship results in high-quality, clean label, organic products—ensuring a healthy source of nutrition through the most humane, clean, and safe processes possible. Learn more at www.farmerfocus.com
