Sonny Perdue joins Kalera board of directors

Sonny Perdue, former U.S. Agriculture Secretary and governor of Georgia, will join vertical farming company Kalera’s board of directors.

Perdue also has personally invested in the company in the latest financing round, according to a news release.

Perdue’s appointment to the Board follows Kalera’s acquisition of Vindara Inc., described in the release as the first company to develop seeds specifically for use in vertical farming environments.

Perdue served as Agriculture Secretary from 2017 to 2021 and governor of Georgia from 2003 to 2011.

“Kalera remains focused on being global leaders in all that we do, whether it be in technology, expansion, innovation, building an executive team, or having a world-class board of directors,” Daniel Malechuk, CEO of Kalera, said in the release. “The addition of a global industry titan like Sonny Perdue is a testimony to this commitment and validation of Kalera’s role in defining how we feed the world for generations to come. We are humbled that Sonny has chosen to join us as a fully-active participant on our board, and are excited about the unique perspective and insight he will provide through his experience as Secretary of Agriculture for the world’s leading agriculture and food producer.”

Kalera has expanded into a number of new markets, according to the release, including Atlanta, Houston, Denver, Columbus, Seattle, and Hawaii.

“Kalera is leading the pack in a booming vertical farming industry,” Perdue said in the release. “Kalera is a perfect example of the power of American innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship to develop different, better ways to grow and provide food at home and around the globe. Through my travels, I’ve had the opportunity to experience many intriguing ideas in food and agricultural innovation and technology. In my opinion, Kalera captures the intersection of technology and sustainable food production better than anything I have seen. That is why I am excited about the potential I see in Kalera to change the way we grow and consume our food.”