Element Markets, LLC makes equity investment in Agri-Trend Aggregation Inc.

RED DEER, AB, Jan. 26 /CNW/ - Element Markets, LLC ("Element Markets") and Agri-Trend Aggregation Inc. ("ATAI"), a member of The Agri-Trend Group of Companies based in Red Deer, Alberta, today announced that Element Markets has made an equity investment in ATAI. ATAI is a Canada-based carbon aggregator with a focus on the agriculture market. This alliance will afford ATAI the opportunity to expand their operations throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan and other provinces in Canada . Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"The inclusion of Element Markets as a partner of Agri-Trend Aggregation means that our firm is well positioned to offer continued leadership in the field of greenhouse gas and carbon offset aggregation for agriculture," said Robert Saik , CEO of ATAI. "As this market unfolds, we value the role Element Markets will play in expanding our business across Canada and into the U.S."

"We are pleased to have completed our investment in ATAI as we expand our presence in Canada and further our commitment to high quality Greenhouse Gas offsets." said Angela Schwarz , President and COO of Element Markets. "Agriculture-based carbon credits are a strategic growth segment for our company as we expect them to play an increasing role in carbon trading in the United States and Canada . Element Markets will bring commercial expertise and relationships in the emissions markets to ATAI's aggregation program. This investment builds upon our strong foundation in North America and positions Element Markets for future growth in Canada ".

Currently, Agri-Trend Aggregation Inc. operates in Alberta working with farmers using a tillage protocol that documents carbon sequestration in soils through advanced farm management practices. They have aggregated more agricultural carbon offsets than any other single entity and have returned significant payouts to Alberta farmers. Customers purchasing carbon offsets from ATAI include those from the fertilizer, oil & gas, chemicals and cement sectors. ATAI also has a presence in Saskatchewan through a network of Carbon-Coaches(TM) in anticipation of the passage of a Saskatchewan climate change bill in 2010.

"We are Canada's most trusted supplier of agricultural offsets to the Large Final Emitter community and a prominent and well-established player in terms of volumes transacted." said Bill Dorgan , president of ATAI. "The addition of Element Markets as a strategic partner reaffirms our commitment to operate our business in a transparent and professional manner that yields tremendous value to farmers and meets the needs of Large Final Emitters. The offset system in Alberta continues to mature with the number of offset projects, the volume of credits and the number of market participants increasing every year".

About Agri-Trend Aggregation Inc.

Agri-Trend Aggregation Inc. is a privately held Canada-based carbon aggregator headquartered in Alberta. ATAI offers a network of Carbon-Coaches(TM) offering the Soil Carbon Offset Program(TM) (SCOP) pursuant to the Alberta tillage protocols, and, in the near future, pursuant to the Saskatchewan protocols. They are an original signatory in the formation of the Carbon Offset Trading Association, and have been involved in carbon policy development since 2000. The SCOP project is managed using The Agri-Data(TM) Solution Netware platform which is a proprietary, state-of-the-art agricultural data management system. For more information, please visit www.agritrend.com.

About Element Markets, LLC

Element Markets, LLC is the leading developer and supplier of environmental credits in North America , with integrated trading expertise in the greenhouse gas, renewable energy and emissions credit markets. Since its inception in 2005, Element Markets has built one of the industry's largest diversified development portfolios of wind, solar, methane and greenhouse gas mitigation projects, earning industry accolades from Environmental Finance and Energy Risk Magazines as a leading trader of environmental commodities in 2008 and 2009. The company provides structured environmental compliance and optimization services to prominent corporate and institutional clients. Element Markets is based in Houston , Texas. More information is available at www.elementmarkets.com.

For further information: Bill Dorgan, President, Agri-Trend Aggregation Inc., 107 - 6227 2nd St. SE, Calgary, AB, T2H 1J5, [email protected], www.AgriTrend.com, [phone]