Business Focus

A 2-acre family vegetable farm, dedicated to bringing the benefits of a CSA to their tight-knit Vermont community.

Loan Summary

As in many communities, Tropical Storm Irene caused the flooding of the quaint village of Proctorsville, VT, including its namesake, Little Village Farm. Rising stream waters covered 100% of the new farm’s growing fields, rendering their crops unsalable, and leaving debris, silt, and sand in their wake.

The Backstory

Jeremiah Tyrrell is a third-generation Vermonter with farming in his veins. From a young age his dream had been to farm, and four years ago he convinced his wife, Cara, that starting a CSA-focused farm on their small village property could be a viable enterprise. In addition to growing a healthy selection of vegetables, the couple was interested in involving the community, educating its children, and creating a sustainable growing environment.

In week twelve of their twenty week 2011 summer CSA, the rain began to fall hard. Being a good distance from the Black River, the couple wasn’t too worried about flooding. But, it turned out to be the spit of a stream along their back field that grew into a torrent. The rising waters touched every single crop, leaving absolutely nothing to put in the last 8 weeks of CSA boxes.

The Department of Agriculture ordered us to destroy all the crops still in the ground. It was very emotional for us to lose all that we had worked so hard to grow.

Even though the fields were still covered in debris from the receding waters, the Tyrells couldn’t yet find the emotional strength to begin the cleanup right away. Jeremiah spent the first two days helping out other neighbors devastated by the flood. This community spirit came back to the couple from their CSA shareholders. Not a single member asked for a refund, believing that they all had assumed the risk along with the farm. Many paid for their 2012 share at a discount right away to help keep the family going.

The Bottom Line

We were afraid that we wouldn’t qualify for a loan. But, to our surprise, the letter that arrived right away wasn’t red tape. It was an approval!

Though Cara and Jeremiah realized that they needed financial assistance to get back on their feet, asking for money did not feel right to them. When they heard talk of the Vermont Farm Fund on the Vermont Vegetable and Berry Growers listserv, the concept of “farmers lending to farmers” felt right to them.

Cara filled out the paperwork and was thrilled at how quickly the Emergency Loan was processed and paid. Little Village needed the funds immediately to help scrape the backfield of silt and debris, and buy seed for the required fall cover crop. They also purchased seed to set them up for spring planting.

The Tyrells are now back on their feet. They may still be dealing with residual impacts of the flooding, like swamp grass and variable growing conditions, but the overall outlook for the farm is bright. Next on the horizon is a farmstand and certified kitchen, that will of course be shared with the community.