The Carrot Project
ph: 617-666-9637
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“The answer is simple. Small family farms need money, mostly for capital investments. We need money for improvement & investment in equipment and technology.”
- An anonymous Maine farmer, November 2007
Strolling of the Heifers Microloan Fund for New England Farmers
The Strolling of the Heifers Microloan Fund for New England Farmers, a partnership between Strolling of the Heifers and The Carrot Project, addresses the difficulty that some New England farmers have in obtaining credit for projects that improve their operations and increase their income, as well as meet emergency needs. It focuses on small loans to small- and mid-sized farms that use sustainable and organic methods (or are moving toward them), and that are active in local food networks.
Strolling of the Heifers raised the initial capital for the Microloan Fund from several sources: the proceeds from benefit concerts generously given by the legendary folksinger Pete Seeger, his grandson Tao Rodriguez-Seeger and bluesman Guy Davis in September, 2008; major grants from the Thomas Thompson Trust and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. The Carrot Project raised loan capital from private investors. The program currently operates in Western Massachusetts and Vermont.
Three Profiles of Microloan Recipients: Bloomfield, Bostrum, and Mighty Food Farms.
Reports Available
Lessons Learned: The Microloan Fund for New England Farmers (2009)
Lessons Learned- Microloan Fund for New England Farmers is the result of speaking with farmers—those that applied and those that decided not to, Loan Review Committee members, and members of the Oversight Committee, and Chittenden Bank to understand what improvements could be made to the program.
For PCs (not Mac) download a copy of Lessons Learned- Microloan Fund for New England Farmers CLICK HERE.
Are Northeast Small Farmers in a Financing Fix? (2008)
The Carrot Project created, tested, and implemented the Farmers’ Financing Needs Assessment to gain a better understanding of the financing obstacles facing small and midsized farms. The survey portion of the Assessment was completed by 706 farms in New York and the New England States.
The information gained from this survey is important to guide the development of financing and technical assistance programs to meet the needs of the regions’ farmers. The report answers questions such as what type of farmer (by stage and type of operation and by region) is unable to find adequate financing and what type of lending options and equity funding would be appropriate.
For PCs (non Mac) download a copy of Are Northeast Small Farmers in a Financing Fix? Research Results on Financing Gaps and Program Opportunities (561Kb) CLICK HERE.
If you would like a copy of a report sent to you by mail or e-mail, please contact info@thecarrotproject.org.
PROGRAM SITES
The Carrot Project is working to build partnerships with lenders and farm support organizations to create technical assistance and financing programs to meet the needs of small and midsized farms in New York and New England. We are exploring different program sites. For more information, please contact Dorothy Suput.
The Carrot Project's E-newsletter is sent out 3-4 times per year. If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter, please send your name, city/town, state and if you are a farmer to subscribe@thecarrotproject.org.
Thank you.
The Carrot Project
ph: 617-666-9637
info
