In the ever-changing landscape of modern agriculture, With its innovative crop nutrition products already spanning 2 million acres across the United States, Sound Agriculture has emerged as a leader in sustainable farming, driven by science, practicality, and a deep understanding of growers' challenges. The company, which has seen remarkable growth over the past few years, recently spun out its plant epigenetics platform and secured a $25 million extension to its Series D funding round. This latest financial infusion, co-led by BMO Impact Investment Fund and S2G Ventures, reflects Sound’s growing influence in sustainable farming solutions and positions it for profitability as it scales its innovative technologies.
Founded on the idea that agriculture can adapt to meet both economic and environmental demands, Sound Agriculture is carving out a unique role in the industry. Its work focuses on making crops and soils more efficient, productive, and resilient without relying on the overuse of synthetic inputs. At the heart of its strategy are two key products—SOURCE® and BLUEPRINT™—that offer bioinspired approaches to crop nutrition, using natural plant signals and microbial partnerships to enhance nutrient uptake and soil health more efficiently than traditional synthetic fertilizers. Since its launch, Sound has reached an impressive 2 million acres across the United States, demonstrating a clear appetite for its practical, science-backed solutions.
“Sound has consistently demonstrated resilience and growth, standing out as a leader in sustainable agriculture,” said Marc Khouzami, Managing Director at BMO Impact Investment Fund. “The company's commitment to cutting-edge science, building a world-class team, and innovative business models has driven tremendous value for growers. We are pleased to continue supporting a company that has been able to make a significant environmental impact and grow their business.”
The enthusiasm from investors like BMO and S2G Ventures stems from Sound’s ability to balance innovation with tangible results. Its flagship product, SOURCE®, exemplifies this approach. By mimicking natural plant signals, SOURCE activates beneficial microbes in the soil to unlock nutrients—specifically nitrogen and phosphorus—that would otherwise remain inaccessible. In practice, this allows growers to enhance crop performance with greater efficiency. Importantly, SOURCE® reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers, addressing both economic and environmental concerns at a time when growers face increasing pressure to produce more with fewer resources.
Following the success of SOURCE®, Sound introduced BLUEPRINT™, a solution centered on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), one of nature’s oldest and most beneficial partnerships with plants. AMF plays a critical role in root development, nutrient absorption, and water retention—key factors for crop productivity. When paired with SOURCE®, BLUEPRINT™ enhances nutrient access even further, helping growers push yields to their full potential. For Eric Davidson, PhD, Sound’s Chief Product Officer, the development of these technologies reflects years of dedicated research into chemical signaling and soil ecosystems.
“Our research has given us a deep understanding of chemical signaling technology,” Davidson explained. “This expertise has enabled us to bring together synergistic products that deliver essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to crops, enhancing performance while reducing environmental impact. It began with SOURCE® several years ago, continued with BLUEPRINT™, and will scale with even more innovations in the coming years.”
Sound’s commitment to innovation extends beyond the lab and into the fields where its products are put to the test. The company has also introduced a forward-thinking grower incentive program called Efficient Acre, aimed at reducing financial barriers to adoption. Through this initiative, growers are encouraged to replace 25 pounds of nitrogen or phosphorus with SOURCE®. In return, they can earn up to $10 per acre and benefit from a yield protection program that guarantees cash-back incentives of up to $100 per acre. For many growers, this combination of cost savings, risk mitigation, and increased productivity is a compelling reason to embrace Sound’s solutions.
The agricultural sector is no stranger to challenges—climate volatility, shrinking margins, and growing environmental concerns make it increasingly difficult for farmers to thrive. For example, extreme weather events have increased in frequency, with droughts and floods costing U.S. farmers billions annually, while fertilizer prices surged by over 50% in the past two years, straining farm budgets and profitability. Yet Sound Agriculture has positioned itself as an ally to growers by providing tools that are not only innovative but also practical and easy to implement. The company’s solutions don’t demand wholesale changes to farming systems; instead, they integrate seamlessly into existing practices, offering incremental but meaningful improvements that compound over time.
Sound’s steady rise is a testament to the company’s focus on building solutions that work at scale. Its products are not just concepts confined to research labs; they are already in use on millions of acres, delivering results that resonate with farmers. As the company continues to expand its portfolio and reach, the recent $25 million funding extension will help drive its next phase of growth—from launching new products to exploring new geographies.
Sustainable agriculture is often discussed in terms of broad ideals, but Sound Agriculture’s approach is refreshingly grounded in science and farmer-driven practicality. By prioritizing soil health, nutrient efficiency, and crop productivity, Sound offers a clear vision for what the future of farming can look like: more resilient, more efficient, and ultimately more sustainable. For growers facing an uncertain agricultural landscape, it’s an approach that holds both promise and real-world potential.
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