Hi all,
Wanted to make sure folks know about the Carrot Project. WAgN, Land Link
Vermont, Intervale, and others in Vermont collaborated with them when
they conducted their research around access to capital -- see report of
their findings at http://www.thecarrotproject.org/programs.
Former Land Link VT participants are among the recipients of their first
loans, including Charles Currie who was connected with Sally Mole's
Cedar Hill Farm in Pownal.
Deb
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Superheros Receive Microloans
Date: Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:03:24 +0000
From: The Carrot Project News <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: The Carrot Project News
<[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Click to view this email in a browser
<http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/306456/11f9665a34/1615001652/193071b378/>
<www.thecarrotproject.org>
The Carrot Project is thrilled to announce our first microloan
recipients and to be taking this important step forward in supporting
our region's small farmers. The Microloan Fund for New England Farmers
was launched in January 2009, in partnership with Strolling of the
Heifers and Chittenden Bank. This spring, five farms received microloans
averaging $8,000. Each farm used the funds for either new equipment or
capital improvements. Microloan recipients included three Community
Supported Agriculture projects, a dairy/greenhouse operation, and a goat
farm that produces fresh cheeses and caramels.
I hope you enjoy reading about our superheroes.
Dorothy Suput
Founder and Executive Director
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Image
<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheCarrotProject/11f9665a34/193071b378/1583c93caf>Image
<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheCarrotProject/11f9665a34/193071b378/1583c93caf>Image
<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheCarrotProject/11f9665a34/193071b378/1583c93caf>
*Superheroes at Mighty Food Farm*
Mighty Food Farm — it sounds like a place where comic strip superheroes
would live. In fact, it’s 186 acres in the southwestern Vermont town of
Pownal, where two everyday farmer-heroes, Lisa MacDougal and Chuck
Currie, are pursuing their agricultural ideal. They produce an array of
organic vegetables, eggs, and flowers, feed their neighbors, and protect
the crucial natural gifts on which that bounty depends.
From beets to kohlrabi to tomatoes, the Mighty Farmers cultivate a
dozen acres of vegetables. On another dozen acres, they raise 200 laying
hens on a combination of pasture grasses and grain. Twice a day the
farmers move the mobile coops to fresh ground, where the birds fertilize
and scratch, improving the land.
The produce and eggs supply the farm’s CSA program of 120 to 150
members, two farmers’ markets, and its several wholesale accounts, which
include Bennington College, located a mere 10 miles from the farm. Other
customers are just across the border in Williamstown, Massachusetts:
Wild Oats Co-op, Mezze Bistro, The Buxton School, and Cricket Creek farm
stand.
The loan Mighty Food Farm received from the Microloan Fund for New
England Farmers has enabled Lisa and Chuck to purchase tractor
attachments that have significantly improved their labor efficiency and
soil conservation. (Photos by Elizabeth Ferry)
To read more about Microloan Recipients Click Here
<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheCarrotProject/11f9665a34/193071b378/1583c93caf>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Don't Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch*
Image
<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheCarrotProject/11f9665a34/193071b378/49c0ede46a>We
know that figuring out how to make a balance sheet and writing a
business plan aren’t everyone's favorite parts of farming. But they are
important parts of setting farm goals and priorities — a key step in
operating a successful business.
Thanks to a grant from Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement, we now offer
the financing options and the business and financial planning resources
that will make it easier to get started and keep track of your farm’s
fiscal health. (Photo by Elizabeth Ferry)
Read More...
<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheCarrotProject/11f9665a34/193071b378/49c0ede46a>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Support The Carrot Project's Work*
Image
<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheCarrotProject/11f9665a34/193071b378/9652ea067e>The
Carrot Project’s success is predicated on the involvement of many
generous and helpful individuals who provide invaluable advice and
support to the organization.
We are looking for volunteers or interns with the know-how to move our
website to a more flexible platform, to research the capital needs of
farmers’ participating in farmers’ markets and community supported
agriculture projects, and to assist with farmer outreach. Please contact
Dorothy Suput at [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]> to find out if your
skills match our needs. (Photo by Elizabeth Ferry)
We appreciate both your volunteer and financial support. Thank you.
To make a charitable donation click here
<http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheCarrotProject/11f9665a34/193071b378/9652ea067e>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have any questions about The Carrot Project or the content of
this message, please go to www.thecarrotproject.org or
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>.
Thanks for your interest in our work.
If you no longer wish to receive newsletter up-dates from The Carrot
Project, please reply to this message with "Unsubscribe" in the subject
line or simply click on the following link: Unsubscribe
<http://cts.vresp.com/u?11f9665a34/193071b378/mlpftw>
Click here
<http://oi.vresp.com/f2af/v4/send_to_friend.html?ch=11f9665a34&lid=1615001652&ldh=193071b378>
to forward this email to a friend
The Carrot Project
2 Belmont Terrace
Somerville, MA 02143
Read <http://www.verticalresponse.com/content/pm_policy.html> the
VerticalResponse marketing policy.
Try Email Marketing with VerticalResponse!
<http://www.verticalresponse.com/landing/?mm/11f9665a34>
|
