Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Could a new federal tax incentive reshape investment in rural America?
Most agricultural producers, landowners, and agribusiness professionals have never heard of Rural Opportunity Zones, yet this new federal program could unlock billions of dollars in private investment for agriculture and rural communities.
In this episode, Damian Mason sits down with Chris Rawley, CEO of Harvest Returns, to explain how Rural Opportunity Zones work and why they may become one of the most significant agricultural investment opportunities in years.
Whether you are an investor with capital gains from farmland, a business sale, stocks, or other appreciated assets, or an agricultural entrepreneur seeking funding for expansion, this episode explains how the program is designed to connect investment capital with rural development projects.
Topics include:
How Rural Opportunity Zones differ from Opportunity Zones
Capital gains tax deferral and potential tax reduction benefits
Eliminating capital gains tax on future appreciation after a qualifying 10-year investment
Funding opportunities for grain handling, cold storage, food processing, agricultural manufacturing, livestock facilities, and rural infrastructure
Why traditional agricultural financing often cannot provide this type of equity capital
How farmers, ranchers, landowners, and agribusiness operators can determine whether their projects qualify
The boundaries for these new Rural Opportunity Zones are being established now, making this an important time to understand how the legislation could affect both investors and agricultural businesses.
If you are interested in agricultural investing, rural economic development, farmland, tax strategies, agribusiness financing, or expanding your operation, this conversation provides an early look at a program that could significantly influence rural America for years to come.
Learn more about Rural Opportunity Zones here: harvestreturns.com/opportunity-zone-fund
The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is brought to you by:
- Ag View Solutions | agviewsolutions.com
- Tidal Grow Agriscience | tidalgrowag.com
- Nano-Yield | nano-yield.com
- Life Scientific | lifescientific.com/en/north-america
#farming #podcast #agribusiness #agriculture #farmlife #damianmason
Listen to more great content here 👉 youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOTg4XaRuYh3dLeMyCz0vfu936zhVUQaX&si=MhMMdG-KJ5Lz3mkl
Check out my work with XtremeAg:
- Cutting The Curve Podcast | https://www.xtremeag.farm/podcasts
- The Granary | https://www.xtremeag.farm/the-granary
Keep up with me on social media!
damianmason.com
facebook.com/DamianPMason
instagram.com/DamianPMason
twitter.com/DamianPMason
linkedin.com/in/damianmason
Could a new federal tax incentive reshape investment in rural America?
Most agricultural producers, landowners, and agribusiness professionals have never heard of Rural Opportunity Zones, yet this new federal program could unlock billions of dollars in private investment for agriculture and rural communities.
In this episode, Damian Mason sits down with Chris Rawley, CEO of Harvest Returns, to explain how Rural Opportunity Zones work and why they may become one of the most significant agricultural investment opportunities in years.
Whether you are an investor with capital gains from farmland, a business sale, stocks, or other appreciated assets, or an agricultural entrepreneur seeking funding for expansion, this episode explains how the program is designed to connect investment capital with rural development projects.
Topics include:
How Rural Opportunity Zones differ from Opportunity Zones
Capital gains tax deferral and potential tax reduction benefits
Eliminating capital gains tax on future appreciation after a qualifying 10-year investment
Funding opportunities for grain handling, cold storage, food processing, agricultural manufacturing, livestock facilities, and rural infrastructure
Why traditional agricultural financing often cannot provide this type of equity capital
How farmers, ranchers, landowners, and agribusiness operators can determine whether their projects qualify
The boundaries for these new Rural Opportunity Zones are being established now, making this an important time to understand how the legislation could affect both investors and agricultural businesses.
If you are interested in agricultural investing, rural economic development, farmland, tax strategies, agribusiness financing, or expanding your operation, this conversation provides an early look at a program that could significantly influence rural America for years to come.
Learn more about Rural Opportunity Zones here: harvestreturns.com/opportunity-zone-fund
The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is brought to you by:
- Ag View Solutions | agviewsolutions.com
- Tidal Grow Agriscience | tidalgrowag.com
- Nano-Yield | nano-yield.com
- Life Scientific | lifescientific.com/en/north-america
#farming #podcast #agribusiness #agriculture #farmlife #damianmason
Listen to more great content here 👉 youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOTg4XaRuYh3dLeMyCz0vfu936zhVUQaX&si=MhMMdG-KJ5Lz3mkl
Check out my work with XtremeAg:
- Cutting The Curve Podcast | https://www.xtremeag.farm/podcasts
- The Granary | https://www.xtremeag.farm/the-granary
Keep up with me on social media!
damianmason.com
facebook.com/DamianPMason
instagram.com/DamianPMason
twitter.com/DamianPMason
linkedin.com/in/damianmason
