• Farmers Hen House is a leading provider of a full-range of premium branded and private label specialty eggs, including free-range, pasture-raised and organic

• Benford Capital Partners will maintain Farmers Hen House’s commitment to high quality products and invest in its continued growth

• Highlights the firm’s expertise within the specialty protein and branded packaged food sectors as well as its relationships within the middle market private equity community

CHICAGO, December 15, 2021 – Mesirow, an independent, employee-owned financial services firm, today announced it acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Farmers Hen House Group, Inc. (“Farmers Hen House” or the “Company”) on its recapitalization with Pasture Brands Holdings, LLC (“Pasture Brands”), an affiliate of Benford Capital Partners (“BCP”), a Chicago-based middle market private equity firm focused on leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations.

Headquartered in Kalona, Iowa, Farmers Hen House is a leading provider of farm-to-table, premium branded and private label specialty eggs, supplying retail customers with organic, free-range and pasture-raised eggs sustainably sourced from local farmers. The Company was founded in 1997 with the goal of providing local Amish and Mennonite farmers the means to supply local retailers with organic eggs and has since established itself as a premium shell egg brand and a critical partner to its growers and retail customers. As one of the only major suppliers of a full range of premium, specialty eggs, Farmers Hen House will grow BCP’s portfolio within the packaged food and agricultural products sectors.

Ryan Miller, Owner and President of Farmers Hen House, said, “Mesirow efficiently and tactically guided the Company through this transaction, securing an ideal outcome for our farmers, customers and shareholders. Through their expertise in specialty protein and branded packaged food, as well as deep relationships within the private equity community, Mesirow identified an ideal partner in BCP to support the Company’s strong and continued growth.”

“We felt privileged to represent Farmers Hen House throughout this important process,” said Paul Mariani, Managing Director of Mesirow Investment Banking. “The Company has built a sterling reputation for sustainability, corporate stewardship and a commitment to high quality products, enabling the shareholders to select a strong partner with a shared vision to sustain the legacy of the business and support numerous exciting growth opportunities.”

The recapitalization of Farmers Hen House represents another successful assignment completed by Mesirow Investment Banking and highlights the firm’s expertise within the food, beverage and agribusiness industry. Committed to leveraging extensive sector-specific expertise across industry groups and nurturing deep longstanding relationships, Mesirow has a proven track record of completing highly tailored, complex and successful transactions on behalf of its clients.

About Mesirow
Mesirow is an independent, employee-owned financial services firm founded in 1937. Headquartered in Chicago with offices around the world, we serve clients through a personal, custom approach to reaching financial goals and acting as a force for social good. With capabilities spanning Global Investment Management, Capital Markets & Investment Banking, and Advisory Services, we invest in what matters: our clients, our communities and our culture. To learn more, visit mesirow.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

Mesirow was recently named one of the Best Places to Work in Chicago by Crain’s Chicago Business and one of the Top Workplaces by the Chicago Tribune.

About Farmers Hen House
Farmers Hen House provides organic, free-range, and pasture-raised shell eggs, responsibly sourced from local family farms and sold through retail customers who share the Company’s values of humane treatment of animals, sustainability, and commitment to family farming.

The Company was founded in 1997, with the mission to provide local Amish and Mennonite farmers with a sustainable means to competitively produce and market specialty eggs in the modern retail economy. Today, Farmers Hen House has grown to be one of the largest independent processors and marketers of premium shell eggs sold through the natural, conventional, mass and club retail channels. For more information, please visit farmershenhouse.com.

Nothing contained herein constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any Mesirow investment vehicle(s). Mesirow Financial, Inc. is not affiliated with Farmers Hen House Group, Inc., Benford Capital Partners, or their affiliates. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Mesirow refers to Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. and its divisions, subsidiaries and affiliates. Securities offered through Mesirow Financial, Inc. member FINRA, SIPC.