By Autumn Demberger, Global AgInvesting Media

As the global population climbs and climate volatility becomes the new “business as usual,” the investment landscape for agriculture is shifting from a niche alternative to a cornerstone of resilient portfolios.

If you’re looking to get a pulse on where the smart money is moving in land, water, and agtech, there is no better place to be than the Global AgInvesting World Summit 2026.

Returning to the New York Hilton Midtown from April 27–29, 2026, the minds behind the World Summit will bring you educational sessions, moderated thought leadership panels and expert keynotes.

Over three days, more than 700 leaders in ag investing will descend on Manhattan to map out the future of agriculture, timber, and natural capital. 

From high-level networking opportunities, where the world’s largest pension funds and sovereign wealth funds meet the operators and innovators driving the next green revolution, to packed agendas, exploring the latest trends, challenges and best practices affecting the ag investment community, there’s bound to be a little something for everybody to enjoy.

Sessions You Won’t Want to Miss

The 2026 agenda is packed with data-driven insights and “boots on the ground” perspectives.

Here’s just a few sessions you’ll want to see, but be sure to check out the full agenda to find the discussions and panels that are sure to leave a lasting impression on you and your business.

Opening Remarks: Framing Sustainability & Long-Term Land Value

Kick off the summit with a session that strips away the buzzwords. This discussion focuses on framing sustainability as a fundamental component of farmland ownership and agricultural investing. Kenny Fahey, CEO of Leading Harvest, will provide the context for a practical, economics-driven discussion focused on long-term value rather than labels or frameworks.

Regenerative Agriculture: Transitioning to a More Sustainable Future

It’s no secret that the agriculture sector is consistently looking for new and improved ways to create a sustainable future. In this session, led by Alexis Stevens, director of farm operations for Momentis Family Office, and Sara Balawajder, director of investments for Builders Vision, attendees will follow along a pragmatic look at regenerative agriculture through both the investor and operator lenses. 

Stevens and Balawajder will discuss where regenerative practices improve resilience and productivity, where they may be falling short, and how investors evaluate trade-offs between near-term cash flow and long-term land value.

Tariffs and Their Impact on Trade Flows and Global Ag Investing

On day two of the summit, Dr. Bruce Sherrick, professor, director, TIAA Center for Farmland Research and Fruin Professor in Land Economics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, will dive in on how tariffs and trade policy shifts influence global agricultural markets and investment strategies.

Discussions on the impacts on commodity flows, pricing dynamics, and cross-border capital allocation will round out the talk.

Investing in Australian Water Markets: Returns, Risk, & Regulation

Attendees will get a focused look at Australia’s unique water markets and their role in agricultural investment strategies, exploring regulatory structures, pricing dynamics, and portfolio diversification benefits.

Private Equity Strategies to Consider When Investing in Agriculture

Daniel Masters, partner at AGR Partners, will explore how private equity investors approach agriculture and agribusiness opportunities on the final day of the summit. Conversation around platform strategies, value creation levers, operational improvement, and exit considerations will be included.

More Than Just a Seat in the Ballroom

While the stage presentations provide the framework, the hidden gem of GAI World Summit happens between the sessions.

Designed for “networking with purpose,” the summit offers several ways to connect:

• Curated Networking & Breakout Receptions: The event itself kicks off with an informal networking lunch to help attendees find their peers early. Throughout the three days, scheduled coffee breaks and evening receptions at the Hilton’s Executive Lounge provide a relaxed environment for introductions and conversation.
• Sector-Specific Roundtables: Join smaller, moderated discussions focused on niche interests like water rights, indoor farming (CEA), or specific regional markets.
• The GAI Mobile App: Long before you land in NYC, you can use the event app to vet attending companies, schedule one-on-one meetings, and ensure your calendar is full before Day 1 even begins.

Join the Conversation

Whether you’re an experienced allocator or just beginning to explore the asset class, the GAI World Summit is the place to refine your strategy.

It’s an opportunity to step out of the spreadsheet and engage with the people actually managing the land and the technology.

More information can be found at the Global AgInvesting registration page, including a view of the full attendee list and current rates. If you have specific questions regarding investor eligibility or group discounts, the GAI team is incredibly responsive—reach out via their website or find them on LinkedIn for the latest updates. 

We’re looking forward to seeing you in New York!

The content put forth by Global AgInvesting News and its parent company Arc Network LLC is intended to be used and must be used for informational purposes only. All information or other material herein is not to be construed as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Global AgInvesting and Arc Network LLC are not a fiduciary in any manner, and the reader assumes the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content on this site.