Radically Rural

Every small business owner knows the challenges of securing capital.  This proves even more challenging for farmers since lenders often don’t “get” farming and see their businesses as riskier. Thankfully, this view is starting to change as more lenders get on board with lending to the agricultural community.  This workshop will highlight several innovative financing opportunities for farmers and food producers, including a new farm-focused credit union—the first of its kind in the nation, a community loan fund that offers business planning services alongside its lending products, and a “slow money” model that allows community members to invest directly in local farms and food businesses.