Two former USDA officials have joined Big Idea Ventures, a venture capital fund, as senior advisors to the General Food Rural Partners fund.
Bill Northey, former Under Secretary for USDA Farm Production and Conservation and Bette Brand, former USDA Deputy Under Secretary for USDA Rural Development will advise fund managers on how to best identify the rural communities ideal for locating new businesses and assisting the Big Idea Ventures team in expanding its networks in agriculture and food innovation industries.
Big Idea Ventures also has the New Protein Fund, which is focused on alternative protein and the Generation Food Fund, which is focused on innovations in the food industry to solve challenges in waste, water use, plastic use, and carbon dioxide.