Meridian Institute is a nonprofit consultancy that helps partners improve lives, the environment, and the economy by convening people, asking questions, and making connections to create solutions for complex challenges.  The self-described mission-driven organization produces tangible results and catalyzes change across various sectors and systems.

Meridian Institute

Meridian Institute | 4,093 followers on LinkedIn. Meridian builds understanding, guides collaboration, and drives action to address complex challenges. | We are a mission-driven, nonprofit consultancy. For over 25 years, we have helped our partners improve lives, the environment, and the economy. 

We meet people—and problems—where they are.

Leader in policy, strategy, and collaboration. Impatient optimist. Buckeye.

Anne Knapke

Director at Transformational Investing in Food Systems

Rex Raimond

Project Management, Operations, and Event Management (non-profit/for-profit)

Calandra Moss

Jason Hohertz

“So, what do you do?” It’s a question we all get asked, but for Meridianites it’s a question without an easy answer. Every project at Meridian is unique, and while we believe there’s strength in our unique approach to the work, it also makes it hard to sum up what we do in an elevator pitch (especially if that elevator is only going a couple of floors!). We often say, “We are a mission-driven, nonprofit consultancy,” but what does that mean? To us, it means we’re committed to helping our partners improve lives, the environment, and the economy. For over 25 years, individuals, businesses, government entities, NGOs, and more have relied on us to help them tackle complex environmental and social issues. We bring a fresh approach to our partnerships—whether we’re providing strategic advice, incubating a new organization, facilitating contentious dialogue, or designing a multi-year collaborative. We co-create spaces where participants feel heard and invested in finding solutions and crafting a shared vision. We want there to be enough buy-in on that final vision that the people at the tables we’re facilitating feel empowered and motivated to execute that vision in the real world. Learn more about our unique approach to the work by visiting our website: https://lnkd.in/dpnQPmyD . And hear from some of our colleagues below, as they share more about what makes Meridian Institute unique. #facilitation #convening #consultancy #sustainability #ESG #systemsthinking #systemschange #innovation

🌱 We're thrilled to see the Food Systems Call to Action report published today at UNFCCC #COP29 , showcasing global progress in transforming food systems while highlighting the critical gaps that remain. Farmers, businesses, civil society, financial institutions, and many others are already implementing solutions such as sustainable, regenerative, agroecological approaches, innovative financing, and sustainable consumption models. Yet, with food systems contributing to a third of global emissions and over 3 billion people unable to afford healthy diets, the need for action is more urgent than ever. The report emphasizes centering efforts on frontline food actors - particularly farmers, women, and youth - promoting a just transition, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration. With COP29 as a backdrop, this call serves as a rallying point to accelerate change and ensure food systems deliver for people, nature, and climate. It’s not just about meeting goals, it’s about rethinking food systems for a resilient, equitable future for all. 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dqAcyTki High-Level Climate Champions Ambition Loop Meridian Institute

Just Rural Transition

Some reflections from Meridian Board Member, Jason W. Ingle , on our recent #SystemicInvesting Field Lab. Learn more about our Field Labs here: https://lnkd.in/edMeMw4q

Check out this great story from CBS News featuring a partnership between Meridian Institute and BEEODIVERSITY , a powerful environmental data collection and monitoring service. BEEODIVERSITY provides practical data analysis services that can help companies, governments, and communities manage local environmental and health risks. Though this work, beehives are collecting billions of environmental data samples! Watch the 3-minute clip and learn more about this work: https://lnkd.in/gM7xGfnh

Last week, our Builders Initiative agriculture team sponsored a three-day Systems-Based Investing Field Lab in collaboration with Meridian Institute and McKnight Foundation in Minneapolis. Meridian Institute is hosting a series of these field labs aimed at bringing a polycapital approach to systems change work on specific topics. Last week's event explored how to allocate more diverse forms of capital to Midwest row-crop diversification, bringing together around 30 crop diversification leaders, including investors, businesses, nonprofits, and farmers. Attendees had the opportunity to visit two local farms making strides in crop diversity, including Organic Compound, which collaborates with Tree Range Farms to raise chickens under a hazelnut canopy. They also visited Kimber Contours, a highly diversified farm growing kernza, a perennial wheatgrass with impressive 10-foot roots that help capture carbon. Kimber Contours also incorporates cover crops, oilseeds, and oats alongside prairie strips, enhancing biodiversity by supporting over 38 different species. Seeing farmers explore alternatives to traditional corn and soy systems is encouraging, and this kind of innovation and creativity will help build a more resilient agricultural system. The event also highlighted the critical role of investors and wealth owners in leveraging their capital to support the sector, emphasizing how embracing diverse investment approaches can drive systemic goals in food and agriculture. Shout out to Haley Burns , Wil Crombie , Kurt Kimber , and all of our partners and attendees for their invaluable leadership and contributions in making this a successful event. #SustainableAgriculture #RowCropDiversification #Biodiversity #foodsystems #ag #agriculture #SBI #systemschange

Builders Vision

Last week I joined colleagues from Meridian Institute , TransCap Initiative , and many others to explore opportunities for row crop diversification in the U.S. Midwest. We took a systems based view to identify where investments can lead to wider adoption of agroforestry, oilseed cover crops, and oats. So what is needed? Investments in R&D, infrastructure, and policy change. Plus a focus on supporting farmers with risk management products, technical support, and knowledge sharing. Thanks to Builders Vision and McKnight Foundation for sponsoring this great event, to Kurt Kimber and Wil Crombie for hosting us at their farms, and to my co-participants for showing up with energy, creativity, and expertise. If you are interested in this topic, I highly recommend spinning through TransCap Initiative 's "Financing the regenerative agriculture transition in the Midwest" map: https://lnkd.in/gtxtcwMJ

Jessamine Fitzpatrick

In October, I had the pleasure of attending SmartAgriHubs ' third annual Synergy Days conference focused on #DigitalAgriculture . As a Program Associate for AGree , a producer-led coalition at Meridian Institute focused on U.S. farm profitability and environmental impact, this two-day conference was a fantastic opportunity to understand emerging digital ag products and how they can support producers’ needs in a changing climate. Harnessing data can bolster both environmental outcomes and farmers’ bottom lines. It was a pleasure to learn how agricultural communities across Europe are supporting the development and adoption of digital ag technology. These insight-filled days deepened my understanding of this complex landscape, and I’m happy to have met so many fascinating professionals working in the digital agriculture sector. #Data #Conservation #RuralLivelihoods

Anitra Conover

Meridian's #COP16Colombia #DSI team met with the Environmental Minister of Cambodia, Meng Eang Taing , a member of the delegation that participated in Meridian's convenings on #DigitalSequenceInformation . Julian Portilla | Lily Weissgold #PeaceWithNature UN Biodiversity

It was an amazing last few days here in Minnesota with the Meridian Institute developing #systemsbasedinvestment #SBI strategies for agricultural diversification, diving deep on winter #camelina , #hazelnuts , and #oats . Many movers and shakers from farmers, entrepreneurs, industry, funders, investors, and more at the table. Feeling fortunate to be in these rooms, to see such a strong focus on diversification and continuous living cover, and excited for what’s to come.

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