The Carrot Project is an organization that works to support small and mid-sized farmers and farm businesses by expanding financing access and helping farmers to build successful and financially sustainable businesses through financial education. Here are a couple Carrot Project programs that could benefit you, so check them out!
The Carrot Project Current Programs Summary
Across the Northeast, The Carrot Project provides financing and business planning assistance to help producers and processors thrive. The Carrot Project offers loans and related financial technical assistance for farms and food system enterprises in Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts and the Greater Berkshires. Programs are open to: farm, forestry and fishery businesses with any type of local agricultural product as well as businesses involved in processing, storage, and distribution. Loans of $3,000-$75,000 are available for capital investments or operating needs.
Visit the website for details about the four regional loan funds. Assistance preparing application materials including cash flow projections and enterprise budgets for new projects is available. Loans are available for businesses who may not be able to obtain financing elsewhere including start-ups and beginning farmers.
Free Financial Planning Services Available Through The Carrot Project
The Carrot Project is looking to work with farmers who can make themselves available for a few hours each year to participate in a Carrot Project-directed study of farm profitability. Project participants are eligible to receive free financial planning services to be determined by the needs of their particular business. Participation is for two years, and requires the submission of anonymous financial information. The study outcomes will help explain the returns on investments in lending and support services for farmers across the Northeast. Farmers can begin participating now. This project is funded through the Research and Education Program of Northeast SARE.
For details about each of the four loan funds, please check the website and like them on Facebook.