SVTFarm in Wells, VT applied for a 3%-interest Business Builder loan to use as short-term bridge financing for her grant-funded winter livestock housing and summer compost coverall barn. Owner Laura Burch identified the project as key to her farm's long-term viability by facilitating more efficient use of feed resources, conservation of nutrient resources, and improvements to animal comfort, soil health, and water quality.
Read MoreBlackbird Organics is a certified organic farm that grows a wide diversity of vegetable crops. Owners Kagen Dewey and Elise Magnant sell their produce through local farmers’ markets, grocery co-ops, and a small CSA. Blackbird Organics began in 2018 and scaled their production on leased land until just last year, when they worked together with the Vermont Land Trust to purchase their own property in Plainfield, VT. The business is now poised to make significant investments in infrastructure, efficient systems, and long-term strategies for growth. Blackbird Organics received a $30,000 Business Builder loan to help finance some of those key equipment and infrastructure investments to expand production on the new farm.
Read MoreSweet Rowen Farmstead is a small, grass-based dairy farm in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, with a mission to maintain a working landscape that provides families with fresh food, supports the local economy, and upholds the ecological integrity of the environment. The milk from their herd of pasture-raised, heritage breed, Lineback cows is processed at their own on-farm creamery into bottled milk, yogurt, and cheese. Owner Paul Lisai is breaking ground on a new barn this summer and received a $30,000 Business Builder loan to support the construction, along with grant funds secured from the Agency of Agriculture and Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. The new barn will hold all the farm’s young stock and allow Sweet Rowen to house all their animals on the farm through winter.
Read MoreNorthwind Farm is an organic dairy in Cabot, VT. Owner Geordie Lynd has been in business since 2010 and currently milks a herd of 65 cows. Northwind Farm received a $30,000 Business Builder loan to support several infrastructure improvement projects this year, including an updated manure management system and renovated pastures with planned laneways. Geordie was also awarded grant funding through the VAAFM Pasture and Surface Water Fencing Program to help fund the pasture improvements. Combining grant dollars with a low-interest VFF loan can be a cost-effective way for small farms to finance larger capital projects.
Read MoreThe Sole Connection Farm in Arlington, VT utilized one of our 0%-interest Emergency Loans to rebuild his mushroom cultivation area, which was significantly damaged during the flooding in July 2023. The loan will help owner Patrick McLaughlin reconstruct his clean-room space while improving on the previous design with the addition of a second indoor growing chamber. The completed project will reduce overhead costs while expanding overall production capacity.
Read More1000 Stone Farm is a family owned and operated 4-season certified organic homestead farm in Brookfield, VT. In addition to providing sustainably-grown vegetables, mushrooms, eggs, and fruit, owner Kyle Doda is expanding a new cider-making enterprise. 1000 Stone received their first Farm Fund loan in 2019 to support the construction of two high tunnels and a farmstand. Their latest Business Builder loan will fund equipment to improve the efficiency of their cider production and processing. We can’t wait to try the new product!
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