Vermont's farmers, foresters and foodies are an essential part of our past and present. We believe they're the future, too.

VCLF has always sought to honor and support Vermont’s working landscape, support local economies and create opportunities for lower-income Vermonters. For thirty years, we've been an alternative source of capital and business development support for farmers, food producers and natural resources entrepreneurs.

But we want to do more! So in 2015, we launched a new, dedicated loan fund, the Food, Farms & Forests Fund, to consolidate, grow and sustain the capital and supporting services for small farms, food producers, and the working landscape throughout Vermont.

VCLF has always sought to honor and support Vermont’s working landscape, support local economies and create opportunities for lower-income Vermonters. For thirty years, we've been an alternative source of capital and business development support for farmers, food producers and natural resources entrepreneurs.

But we want to do more! So in 2015, we launched a new, dedicated loan fund, the Food, Farms & Forests Fund, to consolidate, grow and sustain the capital and supporting services for small farms, food producers, and the working landscape throughout Vermont.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible businesses include (but are not limited to):

  • farms and agricultural operations
  • food producers, incubators, wholesalers and retailers including grocery stores, co-ops, CSAs and farmers markets
  • forestry and forest product enterprises
  • stewardship and other natural resources organizations

The FFF Fund provides financing to enterprises that meet any of the following qualifications:

  • sustainable agriculture/forestry practices/sustainable use of natural resources
  • involvement of the local food and Vermont food economy
  • participation in/support for healthy foods and healthy foods access programs
  • opportunities for education/youth engagement
  • other benefit to distressed communities or underserved populations

ACCEPTABLE USES

Uses may include:

  • Real estate/farmland acquisition
  • Facility construction or improvement
  • Equipment
  • Inventory
  • Working capital

RATES AND TERMS

Terms range from several months to 20 years. Interest rates are fixed and start at 8.25%. A $50 application fee is due at the time the loan request is submitted. An origination fee of 1% of the loan amount, a $125 documentation fee and associated filing fees are due upon closing. In some cases, origination and closing fees may be financed.

HOW TO APPLY

We encourage you to speak with us before submitting a loan application. Please email admin@vclf.org or call Makayla LaPerle, Loan Administrator, at 802-224-9141.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible businesses include (but are not limited to):

  • farms and agricultural operations
  • food producers, incubators, wholesalers and retailers including grocery stores, co-ops, CSAs and farmers markets
  • forestry and forest product enterprises
  • stewardship and other natural resources organizations

The FFF Fund provides financing to enterprises that meet any of the following qualifications:

  • sustainable agriculture/forestry practices/sustainable use of natural resources
  • involvement of the local food and Vermont food economy
  • participation in/support for healthy foods and healthy foods access programs
  • opportunities for education/youth engagement
  • other benefit to distressed communities or underserved populations

ACCEPTABLE USES

Uses may include:

  • Real estate/farmland acquisition
  • Facility construction or improvement
  • Equipment
  • Inventory
  • Working capital

RATES AND TERMS

Terms range from several months to 20 years. Interest rates are fixed and start at 8.25%. A $50 application fee is due at the time the loan request is submitted. An origination fee of 1% of the loan amount, a $125 documentation fee and associated filing fees are due upon closing. In some cases, origination and closing fees may be financed.

HOW TO APPLY

We encourage you to speak with us before submitting a loan application. Please email admin@vclf.org or call Makayla LaPerle, Loan Administrator, at 802-224-9141.

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Borrow

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