SARANAC LAKE \u2014 Tangleroot Farm in Essex, and Tucker\u2019s Black Ang s Ranch in Brushton, have both been awarded a loan through the Adirondack North Country Association regional nonprofit\u2019s SOIL Loan Fund.<\/p>\n
The farms will receive zero-interest loans to use toward projects that build long-term growth and stability for their operations.<\/p>\n
ANCA has partnered with Foodshed Capital, a certified Community Development Financial Institution that centers mission-driven lending and customized business support for underserved farmers, to award a total of five loans for small farm projects since the SOIL Loan Fund launched in 2022.<\/p>\n
These two most recent awards include a $10,000 loan to partially fund the purchase of a tractor at Tangleroot Farm, and an $8,000 loan to purchase three retail freezers for Tucker\u2019s Black Angus Ranch.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe SOIL Fund was created to support projects like these that allow farmers to streamline their processes or expand retail opportunities,\u201d Adam Dewbury, ANCA Local Food Systems Program Director said.<\/p>\n
\u201cANCA is very happy to support Tangleroot Farm and Tucker\u2019s Black Angus Ranch with these loans.\u201d<\/p>\n
With lending assistance from Foodshed Capital and funding support from donors, ANCA established the SOIL Loan Fund to address the challenges many North Country farms have accessing capital through conventional loan programs.<\/p>\n
In particular, farm businesses that are small-scale or women or minority-owned have traditionally had difficulty securing funds for projects that would improve farm viability and growth.<\/p>\n