On April 17, 2019, Fusion Properties Managment Group, Inc. (d/b/a Fusion Farms) filed an amendment increasing the authorized shares of Common Stock of the Company from 20,000 to 860,000. At same time, the Company effected a 43:1 stock split, increasing the pre-offering shares outstanding from 10,000 to 430,000.
All shares issued in this Offering at $430 per share prior to April 17th were included in the stock split, and as a result of the stock split, will own 43 shares of common stock for each share purchased prior to the amendment, resulting in the same percent of ownership of the Company.
All shares sold in the offering subsequent to the amendment will be sold at a price per share of $10.
The pre-money valuation of $4,300,000 has not been affected by this corporate action.
You can now commit investments up to the maximum amount through Bitcoin
Fusion Farms is located in a qualified Opportunity Zone and is the first hurricane-protected, indoor, vertical produce farm located in Puerto Rico.
Our 11,500 square foot concrete building has the capacity for 80,640 total plant net pots which translates to a production capacity of 1,183,000+ ounces of produce per month.
Our pilot project will utilize deep-water rafts to grow mint, basil and microgreens in Phase 1 without soil under LED lights in a controlled environment. Our business model below shows the ability to generate $414,000+ per month in Net Profit from both plant and fish sales.
Our grid-tie solution using renewable energy such as solar, battery backup and generators means that Fusion Farms will not be dependent on the power company and can minimize energy costs.
Tilapia housed in tanks outdoors will be the engine of nutrient-rich water to fuel the plant growth and deliver seed-to-harvest produce in as little as 21 days. Our carousel grow cycle means we can grow our produce year-round with consistent results.
Fusion Farms represents a "fusion" of innovation, talent, impact, urban farming, and food security for the island of Puerto Rico.
Post-Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico imports 95% of its fresh produce.
With 30 inches of rain in some areas and wind gusts up to 175 mph, Maria devastated Puerto Rico's struggling agriculture. It is clear, Puerto Rico needs a new sustainable agricultural model to feed a population of over 3 million people.
Fusion Farms creates a solution for the island of Puerto Rico and for its communities that face environmental, climate and economic challenges, using a micro-grid, sustainable Controlled Environment Aquaponics (“CEA”) facility implementing vertical farming systems that use 1/10th of the water compared to traditional farming techniques.
Here are the main problems for which we have created this solution:
Fusion Farms has submitted an application to PRIDCO, which was approved on September 26, 2018. The application is to lease 11,500 square feet of a fully concrete, hurricane-protected industrial warehouse space to be converted to a micro-grid Controlled Environment Aquaponics facility in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico using renewable energy.
Fusion Farms is pioneering the urban farming solution for an island that is starving for food sovereignty. The impact this will have on the island is immeasurable.
We are grateful for the support you provide to make a difference in the agricultural climate and future for Puerto Rico.
Fusion Farms (“FF”) combines elements of hydroponics, aquaculture and renewable energy in a fully contained and controlled environment. Sustainable Closed Environment Aquaponics (“CEA”) provides a unique combination of technologies and agriculture for the production of a variety of food products, as well as fish, in a CEA facility. Extensive scientific research on aquaponic ecosystems has paved the way for repeatable, scalable food production, which represents an innovative advance in the way food supplies will be grown in the future.
The most simple definition of Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (the soil-less growing of plants) that grows fish and plants together in one integrated system. The fish waste provides an organic food source for the plants, and the plants naturally filter the water for the fish. The third participants are microbes (nitrifying bacteria). These bacteria convert ammonia from the fish waste first into nitrites, and then into nitrates. Nitrates are the form of nitrogen that plants can uptake and use to grow. Solid fish waste is turned into vermicompost that also acts as food for the plants. In combining both hydroponic and aquaculture systems, aquaponics capitalizes on their benefits and eliminates the drawbacks of each.
Investment
$10/share of Common Stock│When you invest you are betting the company’s future value will exceed $4.4M.
Perks
10% Bonus for Early StartEngine Shareholders
*Maximum subject to adjustment for bonus shares. See 10% Bonus below
~ Kendell Lang, Founder
How Far We've Come...
As a startup, we have completed our market research, conducted a Feasibility Study, prepared our Business Plan, identified our initial property, negotiated our initial lease, designed the renovation of our initial property, negotiated strategic partnerships in support of our Business Plan, hired consultants to provide cost estimates for all aspects of the renovation, and retained our CPA to review and sign off on our financial projections. We are now ready to accept investment funding that will allow all this planning to be put into action.
We designed a system specific to the feasibility studies, energy needs and food production requirements for what is projected as to be a sustainable and profitable project. The plan includes the use of tilapia, floating rafts, vertical grow towers, rainwater collection, solar, and advanced technology controls.
We have drafted our initial 3D Design for the property; the image to the left provides a visual rendering of the proposed construction and layout.
Our financial projections included in the prospectus have been reviewed and signed by Lcda. Cynthia J. Rijo Sánchez, CPA/Attny.
We have the enthusiastic support of the University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez and we are pleased that Dr. Rene Esteves and Dr. Luis Mejia are on our advisory board and they are integrating internships for their students from their Department of Agriculture.
~Lisa Jander, Co-Founder
Based on the scale of the model and specs, the plan will include both indoor and outdoor facility use, including but not limited to:
Water use and conservation: Irrigation, flow design, rainwater harvesting
Vertical and horizontal grow designs
Fish farming tanks with observation windows
Testbeds for introducing new fruit and vegetable production.
Renewable energy use: solar and wind (grid-tie microgrid with battery storage)
Technology and automation
Community use: field trips, observation, research, events, tours, etc.
The Technology
The FF model is intended to create an efficient design based on the current elements, adding advanced technology through engineering rigor that will enhance performance and scalability.
Sensory and software components that automate the management and daily operation of the system will be included in this design. Data capture will play a vital role in the success of the model and FF will incorporate the most innovative technologies available within the budget allowed.
The Advantages of Our Pilot Program
By using the Fusion Farms model as a test facility to prove out an effective model, community members will benefit from the transparency of trial and error leading to success. Feasibility, cost containment, use of natural resources, data capture, research, and profitability will all be vital to a thriving program.
The system will be built onsite in Mayagüez with plans to expand to other parts of the island. Because these plans include creating a state of the art sustainable agriculture facility, Fusion Farms can be used to educate and instruct participants in the principles of sustainable agriculture as embodied in the model.
This will assist in the propagation of the model and attract those interested in sustainable agriculture who may have new and additional thoughts and ideas that can be integrated into the model design, creating dynamic sustainable knowledge and IP. This creates an additional revenue model for subscribers to benefit from updates on innovations and improvements.
Aquaponics allows crops to grow faster, year-round, using less water and minimal labor while minimizing crop failures. Fusion Farms, in the beautiful Mayagüez district of Western Puerto Rico, is the ideal location to use an existing concrete, hurricane-protected PRIDCO building to grow non-GMO produce high in local demand.
You now have the opportunity to own a share from a CEA facility growing these agricultural products. This is a complete turnkey, hands-off investment opportunity: you invest in the CEA operations but we handle the installation, planting, and harvesting. Our farm team then capitalizes on the maximum sales in the local marketplace through Distributor's, Farmer’s Markets, Direct to Consumer and through local Chefs and Restaurants.
Pilot – Year 1:
6 mint varieties – 45% Production
6 basil varieties – 45% Production
Microgreens – 10% Production
Whole Tilapia – Ancillary Product
Year 2 – reconfirm market demand and feasibility
Butter Lettuce
Cilantro
Plant fruit trees and Moringa
Living Bamboo wall along the perimeter
Year 3 – Develop outdoor expansion under hoops
Strawberries
Green beans
Chard
Peppers
Tomatoes
Locally Grown
Non-GMO Organic standards
Better tasting
Farm-to-Table fresh products
Consistent quality
Stable pricing
New varieties
More nutritional value
Food Sovereignty
Easy Local Access
Food consumers can trust
Outdoor fish farming is used to implement the most advanced sustainable methods of growing, producing and harvesting seafood.
We have chosen tilapia as our nutrient source to grow healthy produce without using chemicals or pesticides. Our fish will be located outside to minimize humidity and maximize food production space inside.
Though the tilapia is less than 5% of our revenue stream, it is our primary source of nutrient value for the plants we grow.
The power supply in Puerto Rico has proven to be unreliable and extremely costly. To provide a hurricane-protected facility, we will be using LED lights and other operational equipment which will be powered by solar, battery backup and diesel generators on a micro-grid system.
MICRO-GRID 400w Solar Power System on both the roof and the shade Pergola for the fish
Net-Zero Agreement with PREPA for autonomy and grid-connected backup
Solar battery storage
Diesel Backup generator
Supplement wind power generation considered when economically feasible through real-time data collection
The application of an appropriate rainwater harvesting technology will make possible the utilization of rainwater as a valuable and necessary water resource. We will harvest rainwater to provide an additional water source for the fish tanks as well as the filtration system for the plants. The roof is designed to capture maximum rainfall to allow for water security when needed.
Secured relationships with top, local distributors to deliver to restaurants and grocery stores in refrigerated trucks
Will pursue relationships with cruise lines
Will hire locals to distribute produce to farmers markets
Create membership for weekly deliveries through Social Media
Will use the excess to create canned goods such as mint jelly and pesto to ensure no waste
Will be positioned for exporting when economically viable
Will distribute excess to food banks on the island
Will pursue relationships with Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club at optimum volume requirement.
Fusion Farms has taken every precaution to protect our investment and yours:
Qualified Opportunity Zone
Hurricane-protection in a concrete building
Energy autonomy using solar, battery and generators
Bio-secure netting to prevent pests and disease
Non-GMO practice to deliver nutritious produce without chemicals or genetic alterations
Flood protection – elevated building and fish tanks with high margin
University partnerships with University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, University of Arizona, Arizona State University and Santa Fe Community College in New Mexico
Providing Internships for agriculture students to employ and groom for Phase 2
Scalable for additional locations in multiple locations around the island
No import delays
Very few food miles from farm to table
Consistency through quality control and controlled environment
Providing jobs for Puerto Rico
Superior team to implement and grow a successful and profitable business model
When construction is complete, our facility will have the following production capacity:
Indoor System:
Outdoor System:
Market Pricing:
Market Demand:
We have relationships with leading food distributors throughout Puerto Rico[i]*. We have substantiated market pricing (retail and wholesale), as well as market demand through these distributors who have confirmed the high market demand for our agricultural products from their customers.
Revenue Capacity | Monthly | ||
Basil | $329,601.99 | ||
Mint | $504,492.84 | ||
Microgreens | $11,979.55 | ||
Tilapia | $3,921.88 | ||
Sub-total Revenues | $849,996.25 | ||
Cost of Goods Sold (34%) | $288,998.73 | ||
Gross Monthly Profit (Loss) | $560,997.53 | ||
Gross Monthly Margin (%) | 66% | ||
General & Administrative Expenses (15%) | $127,499.44 | ||
EBITDA (Monthly) | $433,498.09 | ||
Financial Expenses | $2,083.33 | ||
Monthly Profit (Loss) Before Taxes | $431,414.76 | ||
Tax | (4%) | $17,256.59 | |
Net Profit (Loss) | $414,158.17 | ||
% Monthly Net Profit/Sales | 48% | ||
Investors Return On Investment | |||
Initial Investment | $107,000 | ||
Investor Percent Ownership | 2.5% | $10,305.80 | |
MONTHLY ROI | 9.6% |
So, when we achieve production at our full capacity, we project we will be able to generate revenues and resulting profits that show an annual return of $397 for every $430 invested, approximately 92% annualized ROI.
[i] *Sources: CLICK HERE TO VISIT REFERENCE PAGE
THE OFFERING MATERIALS MAY CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION RELATING TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE COMPANY, ITS BUSINESS PLAN AND STRATEGY, AND ITS INDUSTRY. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE BASED ON THE BELIEFS OF, ASSUMPTIONS MADE BY, AND INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY’S MANAGEMENT. WHEN USED IN THE OFFERING MATERIALS, THE WORDS “ESTIMATE,” “PROJECT,” “BELIEVE,” “ANTICIPATE,” “INTEND,” “EXPECT” AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS ARE INTENDED TO IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH CONSTITUTE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE STATEMENTS REFLECT MANAGEMENT’S CURRENT VIEWS WITH RESPECT TO FUTURE EVENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE THE COMPANY’S ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE CONTAINED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. INVESTORS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE ON WHICH THEY ARE MADE. THE COMPANY DOES NOT UNDERTAKE ANY OBLIGATION TO REVISE OR UPDATE THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER SUCH DATE OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF UNANTICIPATED EVENTS.
If you have generated a substantial capital gain from your investments in 2018 – congratulations! However, you may also be dreading the huge tax bill that’s coming your way.
The good news is that the introduction of Opportunity Zones by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017 can provide you with an investment vehicle to defer capital gain tax while using the funds from such gain to invest in opportunities like Fusion Farms.
As noted on the Grant Thornton April 18, 2018 Tax Alert, Puerto Rico was designated as a Qualified Opportunity Zone under the U.S. Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017 (the “Act”). By providing for short- and long-term capital gains tax deferral and the potential for significant step-up in basis, the Act aims to spur long-term investments in low-income urban and rural communities throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico by investing in a qualified opportunity fund.
To implement a design in which all elements are preserved, re-used or recycle when possible
Use clean waste-to-energy for sustainable primary power/energy requirements creating a low carbon footprint
Focus on repeatable, scalable methods to expand commercialization of the model
Provide Puerto Rico with all-natural, non-GMO produce
Use green/advanced construction materials when available for use in a wide range of regions and environments.
Create a resource for community development and learning onsite
Follow “best practices” from upper-level management to all employees and staff.
Maintain all certification for food handling and food safety
Impact the Puerto Rican community by proving out a way to reach food sovereignty
University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez:
Fusion Farms has partnered with Dr. Rene Estevez and his colleague, Professor Luis R. Mejia-Maymi at the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez to assist with the design and operation of the Aquaponic system. Rene Esteves, PhD is currently serving a dual role as the Extension Leader for the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Sea Grant College Program which is headed by Dr. Ruperto Chaparro. Dr. Esteves is also the Aquaculture Specialist for the UPR Agricultural Extension Service. Previously he’s served as Puerto Rico’s Fisheries Liaison for the National Marine Fisheries Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Dr. Esteves is a coral reef fish ecologist whose research interests have focused on larval connectivity of commercially important fish species, changes to coral reef fish community structure due to disturbances and fisheries independent assessments. His double role in the UPR is in part meant to strengthen informal education in small sustainable recirculating aquaculture projects that would both increase food security and offer alternative income for low-income rural coastal communities.
University of Arizona:
Dr. Shane C. Burgess is Vice President for Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences, and Cooperative Extension, Charles-Sander Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Director of the Arizona Experiment Station at the University of Arizona. He has 188 refereed publications, trained 38 graduate students and has received nearly $55M in competitive funding since 1997. His division has a total budget of $135M with over 3,900 students and more than 1,700 employees. He currently serves on the Agri-Business and Water Council of Arizona Executive Committee, the Board of Directors for Arizona Farm Bureau, and the Governor’s Agricultural Best Management Practices Committee for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Operational Farm Design Consultants:
Fusion Farms has been working with Jorge Casas to focus on the day-to-day operations of the CEA Farm. Jorge and Pedro were successfully operating one of the largest CEA Greenhouse facilities in PR until it was destroyed by Hurricane Maria.
Jorge understands what it takes to operate an aquaponics farm and will be helping us recruit interns and new hires and make sure they are trained. The entrepreneur brothers set up an expanding distribution network to serve themselves and dozens of other farmers around the island and to help drive the food revolution. With the farming boom comes more farm laborers, drivers and retail workers, and urban produce markets are opening up across Puerto Rico. One such, O-Mrkt in the San Juan suburbs, opened in April 2016 with the Casas brothers as partners.
Tropical Fruit Farm Design Consultant:
Fusion Farms has been working with Sadhu Govardhan, founder of Goverdhan Gardens to focus on the unique challenges of growing tropical fruits native to tropical ecosystems in and around a CEA facility. Sadhu Govardhan is an independent thinker, eco-organic farmer, tropical rare fruit connoisseur, bamboo specialist, and researcher. Sadhu will provide inputs into crop selection for maximum diversification, as well as assist us in designing a living bamboo wall for shade and security.
Aquaculture Design Consultant
Fusion Farms has been working with Dr. Mike McGee of Caribe Fisheries, Inc. to design the fish component of the system. Fusion Farms will be working with Caribe Fisheries to supply the hatchlings and original Tilapia stock for our CEA.
Dr. McGee owns and operates Caribe Fisheries Inc. a tropical aquaculture farm in Lajas, PR. He is involved in all phases of aquaculture and particularly those which may be important to improving productivity and quality of life in PR. Most recently he introduced a new aquaculture species to this hemisphere, the Basa catfish. Puerto Rico is currently the only nation in the western hemisphere to culture this food fish. Exports from Vietnam to other countries of the world are over $1,000,000,000 a year and there is good potential in all tropical regions of the western hemisphere to culture this valuable species(1). He also offers training and workshops related to aquaculture. He is working with Fusion Farms and other institutions to increase awareness of aquaculture in PR.
Dr. Michael V. McGee has extensive experience and training in the areas of aquaculture, aquatic ecology, water chemistry and fisheries science. For the past 18 years he has successfully developed and operated his own aquaculture-agriculture business Caribe Fisheries Inc, located in the Lajas Valley. Caribe Fisheries produces ornamental and food fish species, freshwater shrimp, aquatic plants, vegetables and herbs for sale in Puerto Rico.
Cynthia J. Rijo Sánchez is a Lawyer, Notary Public and Certified Public Accountant in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
She obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors. She obtained her Juris Doctor at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico graduating with honors Summa Cum Laude.
After working for 3 years in Virginia, as an auditor for the Department of Defense of the United States and having participated in several internships, Cynthia opened her private practice during the month of February 2014. Since then she has provided legal and accounting services to individuals, companies, churches and other nonprofit organizations.
She is currently the President-elect of the Association of Certified Public Accountants of Puerto Rico of the Mayagüez Chapter.
We believe it's possible to make high returns per square foot with a variety of crops. Please see our CPA reviewed and signed financial projections to understand our financial model. More importantly, the food produced will be fresh, natural, nutritious and grown locally.
Feasibility studies will determine the best crop for the island as well as the system. Many factors will influence the system design as well as the food production outputs. Faster growing times with year-round production will greatly enhance the ability to deliver wholesome foods to the communities in Puerto Rico including restaurants, grocery stores, farmers markets, and other retail distribution.
We Will...
We believe indoor aquaponics is disruptive and forward thinking and will create new opportunities for Puerto Ricans to learn a different farming model that minimizes the impact of external conditions in order to grow the fresh produce the island needs.
If Puerto Rico were able to replace 90% of its agricultural imports with locally grown produce, it would represent about $3.15 billion that would stay in the island’s economy and around 85,000 new jobs in the agricultural sector.
By using the Fusion Farms model as a test facility to prove out an effective model, community members will benefit from the transparency of trial and error leading to success. Feasibility, cost containment, use of natural resources, data capture, research, and profitability will all be vital to a thriving program.
Company | : | Fusion Properties Management Group, Inc. d/b/a Fusion Farms |
Corporate Address | : | 2009 Calle Jaime Rodriguez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00682 |
Offering Minimum | : | $9890.00 |
Offering Maximum | : | $1,070,000.00 |
Minimum Investment Amount(per investor) | : | $100.00 |
Offering Type | : | Equity |
Security Name | : | Common Stock |
Minimum Number of Shares Offered | : | 1,000 |
Maximum Number of Shares Offered | : | 107,000 |
Price per Share | : | $10.00 |
Pre-Money Valuation | : | $4,300,000.00 |
*Maximum subject to adjustment for bonus shares. See 10% Bonus below
On April 17, 2019, Fusion Properties Managment Group, Inc. (d/b/a Fusion Farms) filed an amendment increasing the authorized shares of Common Stock of the Company from 20,000 to 860,000. At same time, the Company effected a 43:1 stock split, increasing the pre-offering shares outstanding from 10,000 to 430,000.
All shares issued in this Offering at $430 per share prior to April 17th were included in the stock split, and as a result of the stock split, will own 43 shares of common stock for each share purchased prior to the amendment, resulting in the same percent of ownership of the Company.
All shares sold in the offering subsequent to the amendment will be sold at a price per share of $10.
The pre-money valuation of $4,300,000 has not been affected by this corporate action.
The 10% Bonus for StartEngine Shareholders
Fusion Properties Management Group, Inc. will offer 10% additional bonus shares for all investments that are committed, within 24 hours of this offering going live, by StartEngine Crowdfunding Inc. shareholders who invested over $1,000 in the StartEngine Reg A offering which closed earlier this year.
StartEngine shareholders who invested $1,000 or more in that StartEngine Reg A offering will receive a 10% bonus on this offering within a 24-hour window of this offering’s launch date. This means you will receive a bonus for any shares you purchase. For example, if you buy 10 shares of Common Stock at $430 / share, you will receive 11 Common Stock, meaning you'll own 11 shares for $4,300. Fractional shares will not be distributed and share bonuses will be determined by rounding down to the nearest whole share.
This 10% bonus is only valid for one year from the time StartEngine Crowdfunding Inc. investors received their countersigned StartEngine Crowdfunding Inc. subscription agreement.
A crowdfunding investment involves risk. You should not invest any funds in this offering unless you can afford to lose your entire investment. In making an investment decision, investors must rely on their own examination of the issuer and the terms of the offering, including the merits and risks involved. These securities have not been recommended or approved by any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority. Furthermore, these authorities have not passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this document. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not pass upon the merits of any securities offered or the terms of the offering, nor does it pass upon the accuracy or completeness of any offering document or literature. These securities are offered under an exemption from registration; however, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not made an independent determination that these securities are exempt from registration.
We are excited that Fusion Farms is the first-of-a-kind Hurricane-protected Vertical Aquaponics Farm in Puerto Rico and we are now a Showcase Offering on InvestPR's newly launched Investment Portal showcasing investment opportunities in Puerto Rico. This iPortal has all our documentation, including the Executive Summary, Business Plan, Pitch Deck, Benefits Statement, Videos, Customer Testimonials, Financials, and all the documentation related to the Offering Memorandum and the Subscription Agreement.
Please Feel Free To Share This URL:
https://iportal.investpr.org/
We are pleased to give you an update on our financing activities and share with you the details regarding our newest Series B Equity Offering. We are already 14% Subscribed (not including numerous ongoing investor conversations), so early momentum is really exceptional especially given that it's only been live a short while! This is a non-profit investor portal
Our tagline is, "We Grow Food...We Sell Food...We Build Farms" so as we continue to get press and acknowledgment of what we're doing, we are continuing to see any number of opportunities that increase investor confidence, awareness and appetite.
We look forward to answering any questions you may have.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented effect on global health and our global economy. As an early-stage emerging AgTech company, we’re concerned on many fronts: concerned for the health of our family, our farm associates, and the success of the company that we’ve worked so hard to create.
We know you share our concerns deeply. Together we need to take vigorous action. First, direct your attention and efforts to the health of your community; your well-being and the well-being of your family are what’s most important. Then, consider ways to protect your extended family and possibly your own business so it can survive this crisis and prosper in the future. We’re committed to solving these challenges and we appreciate your support as we chart a course through these untested waters.
As our society unites to overcome the coronavirus outbreak, we hope this unity will serve as a promising model – a model for how we can come together to build a safer and more sustainable world for generations.
No matter the challenges, the setbacks, or the hard times… We want to make it clear that we’re not going anywhere!!!
2020 will be remembered as the year of COVID-19. For Fusion Farms, it was a tale of two halves from many perspectives, but a single story of our continued commitment and leadership throughout the year. We closed the first half of our year with outstanding momentum—very strong demand for our produce, amazing testimonies from very happy customers, and we entered the second half with an expansion plan and new growth model put in place after the devastating effects of the March 13, 2020, lockdowns.
On that date, the global pandemic was declared, triggering a global health and financial crisis. Our ability to rapidly pivot in the second half of 2020 demonstrates the unique value we bring to our clients, our strong ecosystem partner relationships, the resilience of our diversified business across the island, our strength in Vertical Farming, and the importance of scale (which is our next step!).
We are proud that during 2020, Fusion’s team continued to deliver on our commitments to our shareholders and to deliver on our commitments to create value for our clients, our people, our partners, and our community. And at one of the most challenging times in world history, we have emerged stronger. We enter 2021 with an even more durable foundation and an exciting future.
Starting with our commitment to our shareholders, we have done what we said we were going to do; we did so as a leader in sustainable indoor vertical farming, making a positive difference for all our stakeholders and our community.
Among the highlights from 2018 to 2020:
Currently, Fusion has initiated Phase I of its master plan with 2,200 square feet of existing and a fully operational CEA facility in Puerto Rico.
At present in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Fusion has been cultivating a wide variety of living microgreens, including kale, radish, peas, broccoli, mustard, basil, cilantro as well as strawberries! Soon to be added to this repertoire will be a spectrum of lettuces, leafy greens, basil, mint, and heirloom tomatoes.
With the amount of available indoor agricultural space and a proven aquaponic strategy, Fusion will innovate and diversify crop production in order to satisfy a broader demand of products.
In Puerto Rico as an example, the island is currently importing over $3.5bn of diversified produce per year. The market is underserved, substantial, and just the tip of the iceberg for what Fusion seeks to accomplish.
Turning to our clients. Our clients have been amazing, so we are excited to share the following graphic with a good representation of our clients in Puerto Rico.
Our clients rely on us for high-quality, nutritionally rich, hyper-local produce and if you’ve been able to follow us on Instagram or Facebook, you will have seen that progress. During the crisis, we deepened their trust by delivering seamlessly and quickly adjusting to the new demands.
Our commitment to our community includes creating jobs and investing in innovation, as well as our robust education program. For example, we have hired and trained six (6) interns from the University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez. We have also partnered with a new business owner to provide him with Moringa harvested from our Moringa Grove and he is now producing food for our fish using our sustainably grown Moringa as the protein source instead of using commercial fish meal.
Here is a link to our Facebook Photo Album that provides some highlights of our progress.
Our formula for market success is enduring: We continually transform our business and embrace change to create more value for our customers with incredibly valuable produce. We view 2021 as turning a page—we are no longer navigating a crisis—we are facing a new reality, and we are ready.
We emerged from the second half of 2020 a bit overwhelmed by the challenges having survived interminable delays and bureaucratic red tape, but we emerged stronger than when we began, which was our strategy. We set measures of what stronger means and have met each of them.
We serve our clients through our close proximity to their homes and businesses and our ability to quickly adapt to their needs. With our speed, adaptability and pending scale we can help our restaurant, bar, hotel and grocery store customers succeed in their marketing and branding with high quality produce from Fusion Farms. As COVID-19 and the related changes in business and society have accelerated the need for transformation in the Ag Supply Chain, it became clear that we would need to deliver more local produce much faster. We announced the signing of a Commitment Letter with Oriental Bank on a USDA Guaranteed Loan in the amount of $1.65 million. We are now aggressively negotiating with multiple “Family Office” investor groups to complete an additional investment of at least $500k in equity that is required on our balance sheet in order to remove that final condition of the Oriental Bank Loan.
Our culture is differentiated by shared success—our commitment to making a positive difference together with our customers, our farm associates, our shareholders, our partners, and our community.
We believe today’s rapid acceleration to all things “Sustainable” presents us with a breakthrough opportunity to create a better future for all. Our strategy is to embed responsible sustainable farming techniques into every aspect of all our produce for our clients as well as to operate Fusion Farms as a responsible business. To help implement this strategy, we are in discussions with a literal NASA Plant Physiologist to come on board as our Chief Science Officer and Global Sustainability Services Lead who will be part of Fusion Farms Senior Management Team.
With respect to caring for the environment through our own actions, we are building on our goals for becoming a ZERO Waste facility and reducing emissions. We are committed to the following industry-leading goals: to achieve net-zero emissions, move to zero waste and plan for complete rainwater use by the end of 2021.
We have an unwavering commitment to inclusion and diversity and a culture of equality, which is core to our values as a company and critical to our success and continued innovation. We have pledged to increase community investments to support economic inclusion, such as our commitment to hire local Puerto Ricans wherever possible.
Throughout our short history, the people of Fusion Farms have embraced constant change. Today is no different. I want to thank all our Farm Associates for their incredible dedication, perseverance, and commitment both in 2020 and as we face our new reality. I also want to thank all our shareholders for their continued trust and support. As a company, we have never been more committed to creating shared success for all.
From the bottom of our hearts, we are incredibly grateful to each and every one of you who has in some way, shaped or supported our efforts to promote Food Sovereignty in Puerto Rico.
Sincerely,
Kendell & Lisa
Co-Founders of Fusion Farms
To All Our Family, Friends, Shareholders & Supporters,
I've been invited to speak at the Caribbean Sustainable Investment Forum next Tuesday. It is a free event with about a thousand investors currently scheduled to attend, including the head of the Norwegian Sovereign Fund and other similar luminaries.
Join 17 Asset Management and #ElatusCapitalAdvisors on November 17 at the online #
Now more than ever, investors need to commit and take collective action toward the intentional pursuit of the #UN #Sustainable Development Goals. Join @17assetmgmt and #ElatusCapitalAdvisors at the online #CaribbeanSustainableInvestingForum hosted by #SOCAP if you are interested in learning about investable impact opportunities in the region. Register now! https://hopin.to/.../caribbean-sustainable-investment-forum #impactinvesting #17AssetManagement #FusionFarms #CEA #Aquaponics #VerticalFarming
Best regards,
Kendell Lang, CEO
Fusion Farms
To All Our Valued IMPACT Investors, Friends, Followers, and Supporters,
Thanks again for all the support on this amazing journey! We couldn't be here without you.
We have completed our Proof-of-concept and I'm excited to share some pictures of our fully operational Aquaponics system from which we are currently selling a variety of leafy greens to our clients. This picture below is of our five (5) tier, double-cantilever Deep Water Culture grow trough system. Each grow trough is 8' long, 4' wide and 12" deep, five levels high. Each grow trough holds 200 gallons, approximately 1,600 pounds of water weight. Each grow trough holds four (4) float boards with 28 plant holes each, so a total of 112 plants per grow trough. With ten (10) grow troughs, we have a capacity for 1,120 total plants, so at about 1/2 lb. per plant per month (very conservative) we will be producing roughly 500 lbs. of produce per month.
Here is a picture of our Tilapia in our fish tank.
Here is a wider shot that includes the three (3) main growing areas we have in our Proof-of-Concept; 1) on the left with the purple lights is our MicroGreens and seed germination area, 2) in the middle is the Aquaponic DWC system, and 3) on the right is our Dutch Bucket system, growing tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers and Swiss Chard.
This is a picture of the Fish Tank on the left, connected to the Swirl/Settlement Tank, connected to the DWC grow troughs.
This is a close-up of one of our secret crops...Aquaponics Strawberries...growing like crazy and already producing runners!!! These are like gold in the Caribbean where fresh strawberries are virtually impossible to get.
This is the bronze guard lettuce.
This is Bok Choy.
In addition to the above pictures, we are also growing Thai Basil, Lemon Basil, Cinnamon Basil, Genovese Basil, Large Leaf Italian Basil, Little Gem Romaine, Paris Romaine, and a bunch of different Microgreens.
Now that we have successfully completed our Proof-of-Concept, we are now pleased to announce that we have entered into a Term Sheet with Oriental Bank for a loan in the amount of $1.9 million out of a Total Project Budget of $2.3 million. That will allow us to complete construction on 100% of our total warehouse of 11,500 square feet. There is one remaining condition and that is the purpose of my giving you this additional detail.
Oriental Bank and the underlying USDA federal loan guarantee (we have pre-qualified for an 80% federal loan guarantee direct from the USDA), requires that Fusion Farms have approximately $417,975 in cash on our balance sheet in order to access and close on the loan commitment. Given that we're going to have to raise approximately $417,975, plus legal fees and closing costs (rounding it off to $450k), I'm going to pursue multiple paths to getting that cash; 1) our amazing existing investors, 2) current investor prospect list of Impact VCs, Family Offices, AgTech Funds, and 3) another online fundraising. I think the shortest, fastest route is going to be getting one IMPACT investor for $500k (or five (5) IMPACT investors for $100K each), so if you would consider an investment of $100K, and are interested in helping us meet this equity requirement, that would be awesome. Let me know and let's please get a call scheduled!
We look forward to hearing from you once you've had a chance to digest this, thanks in advance for considering helping us advance our mission to help create Food Sovereignty for Puerto Rico!
Dear Fusion Farms Family, Friends, Shareholders & Supporters,
We have continued operations of Fusion Farms through the COVID-19 lockdown as an "Essential" Food Supplier here in Puerto Rico. We actually had an unanticipated boom in customers! We have been delivering our produce every week in Rincon on Wednesday and Thursday.
It's kind of counter-intuitive, but we've actually been swamped with "To Go" orders and our business has definitely taken a jump since the lockdown. Lots of folks paying attention to Food Sovereignty and Food Insecurity, many articles talking about the coming food supply chain interruption, so it's sad, but plays into our story very well!
We hope you and your families are staying healthy through all this uncertainty!
We've got a bunch of client testimonial videos that we're going to be putting into a new update video, so you can CLICK HERE to see the raw videos before we put all of them together.
We have completed our Trench Floor Drains, so the entire warehouse concrete floor now has new drains so we won't have any problems with flooding. CLICK HERE to see our photos of this project. We have also completed our application for this year's USDA REAP Grant Application, but unfortunately, we didn't have the Commitment Letter from Banco de Desarrollo Económico ("BDE") so we may not score well on that app even though we had everything else done. We have completed our application with BDE for a $1 million loan and they have completed their site inspection, their credit analysis, our complete file review, and their credit analyst completed her recommendation and they are supposed to be scheduling a formal telephonic Board review to say yes or no to our application next week. Our strategic advisor has a high degree of confidence that we will be granted this loan, so that will put us in a position to finish the completion of our total facility.
We have placed an order for the first complete 56' Double-Cantilever Rack and Grow Trough system from China, so they are putting that on a ship next week and it should arrive in San Juan in 3 to 4 weeks. CLICK HERE to see photos of the Rack System configured and constructed in China before disassembling it and putting it into a container.
MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico – March 20, 2020 -- Fusion Farms, a hurricane-protected Aquaponics Vertical Farm has been determined to be an "essential" agricultural operation in Puerto Rico. Fusion Farms is also classified as "a company of strategic importance" and is providing curb-side pickup and delivery of handcrafted salads to members of the local community.
The Secretary of the Government of Puerto Rico's Department of Economic Development and Commerce, Eng. Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, has issued guidance for the agriculture industry on essential businesses and how those businesses can mitigate against COVID-19 while maintaining essential operations to ensure access to food.
On March 15, 2020, the Governor of Puerto Rico, Hon. Wanda Vázquez Garced, issued an Executive Order to facilitate the private and public closings necessary to combat the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and control the risk of contagion within the Island.
"As the island takes steps to mitigate against COVID-19 and continues to strive for a healthy Puerto Rico for all, businesses across the island have been struggling with the question of whether they're essential or not," said Fusion Farms CEO Kendell Lang. "Agriculture's role is unquestionable: access to food is fundamental; we need hyper-local agriculture now more than ever and we're proud to be part of the solution during these challenging times." The Circular Letter issued by Secretary Laboy helped businesses across the island determine whether they are considered "essential" or not.
Essential businesses for a safe and accessible food supply include greenhouses and vegetable plants, distribution and transportation system from processors and manufacturers to retailers, retailers to include grocery stores and grocery delivery services, laboratories, and inspectors that ensure food safety, among others.
The current Administration encourages these operations, especially food production and distribution facilities, to continue operations and issued guidance for essential operations to continue with procedures that will protect both employees and the public from COVID-19.
"We encourage all our colleagues and producers to aggressively practice the Food Safety guidance we've been taught to ensure the security of our food supply as we've been duly certified by the Produce Safety Alliance," added Lang. "During these uncertain times, all of Puerto Rico is counting on the industry to continue to provide for our most basic needs, but done with the highest care and concern for the health and well-being of our customers."
Fusion Farms is a Bonafide Agriculture operator in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and operates a Hurricane-protected facility which combines elements of hydroponics, aquaculture and renewable energy in a fully contained and controlled environment. Sustainable Controlled Environment Aquaponics (“CEA”) provides a unique combination of technologies and agriculture for the production of a variety of food products, as well as fish, in a CEA facility. Extensive scientific research on closed-loop aquaponic ecosystems has paved the way for repeatable, scalable food production, which represents an innovative advance in the way food supplies will be grown in the future.
Read: Hurricane Protected Farming in Puerto Rico
What is an aquaponic system?
The concept is simple. Fish are farmed in a large tank. The water in this tank becomes rich with their wastes which is filtered, cleaned and is then circulated to the hydroponics portion of the farm. This consists of vertically stacked rows of vegetables and herbs. The fertile water is circulated through the root systems of these plants (i.e. no soil is used), which filter out the nutrients, leaving the water clean enough to reintroduce back into the fish tank.
In this way, both fish and leafy green vegetables and herbs are grown simultaneously and on a constant basis, all year round, irrespective of the weather, climate, and seasons. Aquaponic farms are incredibly efficient for producing a consistent yield of important food crops and protein, all of which is super fresh, 100% #pesticidefree, and non-GMO. And it’s the perfect model to introduce to Puerto Rico, which has the space for it and certainly the need!
“Our solution is the ‘fusion’ of hydroponic growing of agricultural products combined with aquaculture of Tilapia,” says Lang. “This is based on the implementation of a comprehensive eco-system consisting of a self-sustaining, renewable, organic Controlled Environment Aquaponics (CEA).”
Learn more about Controlled Environment Aquaponics
The concept that is being implemented by Fusion Farms is a solution to the Food Insecurity problem – and one that will outlive the next hurricane or the next virus and the one after that: hurricane protected, biosecure controlled environment #aquaponicsfarms.
This agriculture opportunity isn’t only a smart financial move but also an environmentally friendly and humanitarian one. Putting an end to the mass importation of food produce will relieve the planet of millions of food miles every year and will establish a local, reliable source of fresh food produce in Puerto Rico.
Fusion Farms already employs dozens of Puerto Ricans, including traditional farmers, who have valuable experience to offer, and other capable Puerto Ricans, who can be trained to become a part of the team and the movement towards a food sovereign future for the island.
Read: Impact Investing for a Greener Future
If you are looking for an opportunity to build your own Aquaponics Farm, bring Aquaponics to your Community, Invest in Fusion Farms or you just want to make a real difference while growing your wealth, Fusion Farms’ aquaponics is a fantastic opportunity.
#HurricaneProtected, #climatecontrolled, #biosecure, #pesticidefree, #verticalfarm, #indoorfarming, #waterfarmers, #renewableenergy, #microgrid, #sustainable, #nonGMO, #beyondorganic #purefood
For more information about Fusion Farms and to become more involved in this opportunity, go to www.fusionfarmspr.com or email CEO@FusionFarmsPR.com.
To our valued Family, Friends, Investors, Followers, and Supporters!
Due to the current situation with COVID-19 precautions we have been in contact with all possible vendors (contractors, plumbers, electricians, plumbing suppliers, electrical suppliers, etc.) for getting them to provide the materials needed in order to continue the construction project, but we haven't been successful because they have strict orders from the Government of Puerto Rico to not dispatch any material whatsoever. Hardware stores, Electrical Supply stores, Home Depot, are all closed. We will keep trying to reach out to the vendors to see if we can get all the necessary materials and equipment to continue the installation process as soon as possible.
We have communicated with all of them that they, like Fusion Farms, are considered 'ESSENTIAL' and that they are exempt from the current Curfew, but so far, everyone has opted to stay home and not continue work. We are working to assure them that Fusion Farms is following all the required Food Safety protocols, as well as doing more than is required in terms of anti-bacterial cleaning of all surfaces at the farm. We also have a very large space where we can follow all the social distancing recommendations. We are completely sensitive to the recommended precautions, all of which can be accomplished while still moving our project forward.
Right now, our Phase II construction project is on standstill, so we will keep you posted as we learn more and hopefully get our construction back on track!
We are continuing to grow and delivering PSA Certified Food Safe, nutrient-rich, hyper-local and fresh leafy greens in our handcrafted (with gloved hands!) salads.
Best regards,
Kendell Lang
CEO
Fusion Farms
To Our Incredible Customers, Family, Friends, Shareholders, and Supporters;
We are pleased to announce that we will shortly be commencing construction on Phase II of our Hurricane-protected Aquaponics Vertical Farm in Mayagüez!
MicroGreens production will be shut down during construction! That means that the Last Living MicroGreen Trays for a few months will be available this week ONLY!
Call 939-299-1929 to place an order, FREE DELIVERY. First come, first served...limited supply.
We have Rambo Radish, Gourmet Salad, Spicy Salad, Broccoli and Mesclun Salad Trays, WHOLE TRAYS ONLY. Normally $48, now closing out at $40 per tray.
Check our FB page at https://www.facebook.com/pg/FusionFarmsPR to keep up to speed on our construction progress.
FUSION PROPERTIES MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC., d/b/a Fusion Farms
2025 Calle Jaime Rodriguez
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00682
To Our Valued Shareholders, Family, Friends, and Supporters,
Thank you to those of you who were able to join us today personally at Fusion Farms in Mayagüez or via our Zoom Video Conference link. It was a productive day and we appreciate the positive feedback and participation!
The Zoom Video recording is now available.
Topic: FUSION FARMS - ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS & OPEN HOUSE
Date: Feb 22, 2020 10:49 AM Puerto Rico
Link for viewers:
https://zoom.us/rec/share/
We will be adopting the meeting minutes reflecting the passed resolutions and sending out a copy of those, along with the audited financials.
To Our Valued Shareholders, Family, Friends, and Supporters,
FUSION PROPERTIES MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC., d/b/a Fusion Farms
2025 Calle Jaime Rodriguez
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00682
REMINDER: NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS & OPEN HOUSE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an annual meeting (the "Meeting") of the shareholders of Fusion Properties Management Group, Inc., d/b/a Fusion Farms (the "Corporation") will be held on February 22, 202020 at 11:00 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time at the corporate headquarters, which is located at 2025 Calle Jaime Rodriguez Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00682.
Please go to our Facebook Event Page to RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/2652581961505347/. This is an invitation-only OPEN HOUSE event and we will be serving hand-crafted salads made directly from Fusion Farms produce harvested the day of the event, so it is important for our planning purposes to know whether you will be attending or not.
At the Meeting, each of the shareholders of the Corporation (collectively, the "Shareholders"), will be asked to consider the following (collectively, the "Resolutions"):
a) an ordinary resolution (i.e., requires a majority of votes cast by counting all votes) to increase the valuation of the company for financing purposes;
b) an ordinary resolution (i.e., requires a majority of votes cast by counting all votes) to form a new subsidiary to operate the business activity associated with the recently obtained Hemp License; and
c) an ordinary resolution (i.e., requires a majority of votes cast by counting all votes) to approve the audited financial statements of the Corporation prepared by CR Law & Accounting.
Due to recent events which have transpired, Kendell Lang (as majority Shareholder of the Corporation) wishes to propose the increased valuation of the company, and in connection with certain investment offerings intended to be presented to prospective investors by the Corporation, Kendell Lang wishes to increase the valuation of the Corporation to accommodate the raising of additional investment capital for the Corporation.
Fusion Farms has recently obtained a Hemp License from the Department of Agriculture of Puerto Rico and, Kendell Lang (as majority Shareholder of the Corporation) wishes to propose the formation of a new subsidiary entity into which this Hemp License shall be contributed.
Shareholders may also be asked to consider and transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting and at any adjournment thereof.
This NOTICE is being given electronically to the directors and to the corporate secretary of Fusion Farms, and by email to all registered shareholders of Fusion Farms and to the registered office of Fusion Farms (who is hereby requested by Kendell Lang to deliver the contents hereof to the Auditor of Fusion Farms forthwith).
Shareholders may participate in this meeting by any means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other during the meeting, and participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting. If you would like to attend the meeting via Zoom Video Conference, please reply to this email and we will provide instructions for attending the meeting via video conference.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS TO CONNECT VIA ZOOM VIDEO CONFERENCE:
Fusion Farms is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/253856659
Meeting ID: 253 856 659
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Meeting ID: 253 856 659
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A quorum shall exist at any meeting of shareholders if a majority of the votes entitled to be cast is represented in person or by proxy.
Shareholders may delegate or cast votes on motions under items on the agenda of any type of general meeting by post, electronic correspondence or any other form of distance communication, provided the identity of the persons exercising their right to vote is properly substantiated. Shareholders are authorized to cast votes on the above resolutions by replying to this email.
Dated as of the 21ST day of FEBRUARY 2020.
Best personal regards,
Kendell Lang
CEO
Fusion Farms
2025 Calle Jaime Rodriguez
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico 00682
(M) 760.445.3315
CEO@FusionFarmsPR.com
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