June 21, 2022
By Lynda Kiernan-Stone, Global AgInvesting Media
Over the course of a brief two-year period, Oklahoma-based Raptor Ag has completed a series of deals with a range of institutional investors including family investment offices and Raptor Ag, totaling approximately $60 million for the development, or the acquisition, of hazelnut orchards in Oregon, and pecan orchards in southern Oklahoma. To continue reading, CLICK HERE. 

​Raptor Ag is now the largest hazelnut grower in North American and one of the largest pecan growers east of New Mexico
 
EDMOND, Okla., June 17, 2022 – Over the past two years, Raptor Ag, LLC, has completed a series of transactions totally approximately $60 million for the acquisition and/or development of hazelnut orchards in Oregon and pecan orchards in southern Oklahoma. The acquisitions and development have been funded by a variety of entities – institutional investors, family investment offices and Raptor Ag. 
 
In Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Raptor Ag has now built the largest hazelnut orchard position in the North American industry – more than 3,000 acres. Of that acreage position, approximately 2,000 acres are in production. Raptor Ag continues to evaluate properties to grow that business.  
 
In Oklahoma, Raptor Ag targeted a specific region (for desired climate and water resources) and purchased 1,300 tillable acres in 2021. Of that acreage, Raptor Ag was able to plant 1,040 high-density acres in January and February, all under drip line fertigation. The remaining acreage will be planted in January 2023, and the company hopes to continue developing more pecan orchards in the region. Investors have since partnered with Raptor Ag on a majority of that acreage.
 
“We continue to have strong interest from our investing partners to grow our hazelnut and pecan operations,” said Chris Eubanks, Raptor Ag partner and CEO. “Our business has been fortunate to maintain a healthy growth rate during a challenging labor and supply chain environment. 
 
“With our latest 1,040-acre pecan planting, in the past five years, Raptor Ag has now executed the largest pecan planting in one season by a single grower, according to industry veterans, along with the largest single-season hazelnut planting in that industry’s history – 1,000 acres in the winter of 2017-18.

“This amazing growth is a testament to our team and the vast amount of experience, skill and hard work they’ve put into our various projects over the past several years. Raptor Ag continues to be very optimistic in the tree nut market, as the desire for plant-based protein and healthy fats gain popularity.” 
 
Raptor Ag, based in Edmond, Okla., was founded in 2016 by Eubanks, Dustin Faulkner and Jason Perkins, with the goal of becoming North America’s largest hazelnut producer. It has since diversified into pecans and is considering expansion into other permanent and annual crops. 
 
Raptor Ag subscribes to intensive management strategies and focuses on high-quality ground with substantial water rights. All its orchards are managed on a drip line fertigation program. The company employees a fulltime operations staff, with field offices near Corvallis, Ore.; Crabtree, Ore.; and Marietta, Okla.