The Carrot Project

ph: 617-666-9637

About Us

The Carrot Project creates small farm financing solutions. We address financing gaps for small- and mid-sized ecologically-friendly and financially viable farm enterprises by making loans and guarantees available and by exploring equity solutions. We are working to increase the amount of financing available and increase access to financing.

The Carrot Project envisions a U.S. farm sector that is diversified by size and type of farm enterprise, including a leading sector of eco-friendly and financially viable farms. Though large farms are a reality, thriving small- and mid-sized farms are critical for regional food security and have significant positive impacts on local economies, the social fabric of rural communities, and the natural environment

 

It is estimated that twenty percent of farmers can’t find the financing needed to run their businesses. They need the money to repair a roof, add a greenhouse, or purchase farmland. They can’t find the necessary financing because they live in an area without agricultural lending expertise, don’t have sufficient property to secure financing, have a non-traditional business plan, or are simply looking for too small of an amount.

 

The Carrot Project is grateful for the financial support of the Lawson Valentine Foundation, a component fund of the Maine Community Foundation; NESARE Sustainable Community Grants Program, Trillium Asset Mangement, and generous individuals.

Our Model

TCP’s model pulls together and takes advantage of the intersection of farmers’ needs, their limited access to lenders, and sources of appropriate capital to both increase the amount of financing available to farmers and increase their access to financing.

 

 

  • NEED: Small- and mid-sized sustainable farmers with viable businesses who are unable to find adequate financing to maintain or improve their businesses, or who need a stepping stone to work with existing lenders.
  • ACCESS: Lenders are primarily interested in new business generation. They are either commercial lenders interested in community economic development, community development financial institutions (CDFI) that have a limited agricultural portfolio, or agricultural lenders who require second position financing for deal completion.
  • CAPITAL: Both individual and institutional investors interested in sustainable agriculture lack an appropriate investment vehicle.

The Carrot Project

ph: 617-666-9637