Beyond The Exchange

Farmland is the world’s oldest asset class, and a lot more investable than most people realize. This episode, featuring Andrea Gruza of Bonnefield, dives into this story.

A few highlights from the conversation:​

• How climate change, water availability, and limited arable land globally are creating a structural tailwind for Canadian farmland.

• The capital challenges facing farmers today (input costs, rates, modernization) and how land-lease financing can support succession, consolidation, and growth.

• Why farmland behaves differently than traditional real estate, and what that means for diversification, inflation protection, and long-term return expectations.

• The very real ESG angle: supporting Canadian operators and food security while maintaining and improving land quality over time.

If you’re an advisor, allocator, or curious investor who’s been hearing more about “real assets” and wondering where farmland fits, this episode is for you.​

John Fisher founded Bridgeport in 2007 and is the chief architect of Bridgeport's investment strategy, with ultimate responsibility for all aspects of the investment process and client relations. Prior to Bridgeport, John spent 10 years at private equity company Clairvest Group, and he also has past experience in investment banking at one of the big five Canadian banks, and in accounting at one of the big four accounting firms.

John shared his entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of Bridgeport’s offerings, and his perspective on today’s investment landscape.

Elroy Gust, CEO of Newlook Capital, joined me for a wide-ranging conversation about the origins of Newlook, how the firm operates, and what led a private equity company to launch a strategy focused on dentistry.

Sean O'Hara, Chief Investment Officer of Obsiido, talks about about what led him to join a startup, what Obsiido offers investors, and how he selects funds in the private markets space, among many other topics.

In this conversation, Tom Johnston, Managing Director and Canadian Market Head at iCapital, discusses the evolution of private markets, the challenges faced during iCapital's founding, and the current landscape of alternative investments in Canada. He emphasizes the importance of due diligence, the role of Canadian banks, and the misconceptions surrounding private markets. Johnston also highlights the need for transparency and the future potential of private markets in Canada.