ADVANTAGE CAPITAL AGRIBUSINESS PARTNERS ANNOUNCES INNOVATIVE INVESTMENT IN RURAL COMMUNITY Partnership with Farm Credit Organizations and USDA Rural Business Investment Program Provides Funding to Missouri-based American Botanicals ST. LOUIS – Advantage Capital Agribusiness Partners, LP (ACAP) has announced an investment in North American Natural Resources, Inc. (d/b/a American Botanicals), a manufacturer and supplier of bulk herbs and botanical products in Eolia, Mo. American Botanicals buys, processes, sells and exports hundreds of roots, herbs, barks and other botanical products, which are purchased directly from U.S. farmers and dealers and used in products ranging from foods to cosmetics and nutritional supplements by the company’s more than 400 customers. Over 90 percent of these natural products are collected in the wild. ACAP is a $154.5-million fund, licensed as a Rural Business Investment Company (RBIC) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), that focuses on businesses involved in the production, processing and supply of agricultural products. It is a partnership between Advantage Capital Partners and nine Farm Credit organizations that have committed $150 million to the fund. The Farm Credit System is a nationwide network of banks and lending institutions federally chartered to serve agriculture and the U.S. rural economy. "This RBIC is a new and innovative way to encourage more private sector investment in rural America. Matching private investors with small businesses in rural communities helps companies get the capital they need to grow and create jobs,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said. “The fund’s investment in American Botanicals is central to its mission of helping address the capital needs of rural American businesses by providing funding to accelerate growth and potential job creation,” said Tim Hassler, principal at Advantage Capital Partners. “We look forward to the next chapter in American Botanicals’ continued success.” “As a Missouri farmer and state legislator, I understand the importance of this type of investment for reinvigorating America’s rural communities. Investment capital is an important component for the growth of rural businesses, and I am excited to see these dollars being invested right here in Missouri,” said Missouri State Senator Brian Munzlinger, who represents Eolia and Pike County in the state legislature. This investment follows the fund’s initial investment to Iowa Cage-Free in Goldfield, Iowa, which was announced in February. ### About the Advantage Capital Agribusiness Fund Advantage Capital Agribusiness Partners, LP (ACAP) is a $154.5-million fund, licensed as a Rural Business Investment Company (RBIC) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), that focuses on businesses involved in the production, processing and supply of agricultural products. It is a partnership between Advantage Capital Partners and nine Farm Credit organizations: AgCountry Farm Credit Services (Fargo, N.D.); AgStar Financial Services (Mankato, Minn.); AgriBank (St. Paul, Minn.); Capital Farm Credit (Bryan, Texas); CoBank (Denver, Colo.); Farm Credit Bank of Texas (Austin, Texas); Farm Credit Services of America (Omaha, Neb.); Farm Credit Services of Mid-America (Louisville, Ky.); and United FCS (Willmar, Minn.). The Farm Credit System is a nationwide network of banks and lending institutions federally chartered to serve agriculture and the U.S. rural economy. Advantage Capital Partners is an investment advisor registered under the Investment Adviser Act of 1940. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This release is not intended to be an advertisement subject to the rules under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. ### Contact: Greg Beuerman [email protected] 504.524.3342