You're invited! Community Join VCLF next Wednesday, May 20th, 5-7pm at Shelburne Farms, for the kick-off celebration of our new Food, Farms & Forests Fund!
The Food, Farms & Forests Fund is a new capital resource dedicated to investing in Vermont's healthy foods, sustainable agriculture and natural resource enterprises.
The kick-off celebration will feature discussion of the new fund's goals and opportunities, remarks and stories from Loan Fund borrowers and investors, along with a tasting menu of great Vermont localvore foods and beverages, many sourced from VCLF borrowers.
“The new Food, Farms & Forests Fund is an important extension of the work the Loan Fund has been doing for twenty years, providing flexible financing and financial services to Vermont’s family farms, food and working landscape businesses,” said VCLF Executive Director Will Belongia.
Through the new fund, eligible borrowers will be able to access loan capital at low rates, thanks to VCLF investors who choose a lower rate of return on their investment. “On the flip side, philanthropists, foundations and other institutions will be able to dedicate their VCLF investments and grants directly into these specific sectors,” Belongia added.
The Food, Farms & Forests Fund has been developed and launched with generous grant support from Jane’s Trust. VCLF will also announce the first investor to “seed” the Fund at the kick-off event on May 20th.
Access to flexible growth capital like VCLF’s has been identified as a critical need for Vermont's food, farms and natural resources entrepreneurs by the Vermont Farm-to-Plate Strategic Plan and the Working Lands Enterprise Board.
The Loan Fund plans to provide $1 million in financing in the first year of the Fund’s operations, resulting in over 100 Vermont jobs. The Loan Fund's five-year strategic goal for the Fund is to lend $5 million, leading to approximately 520 Vermont jobs created or preserved.
"Vermont's local food systems and natural resources industries are central to our state’s health and economy,” said Belongia. “Now more than ever, Vermont needs the Food, Farms and Forests Fund.”
We'll hope to see you at the Food, Farms & Forests launch celebration! RSVP by Friday, May 15th to susan@vclf.org or call 802-223-4426. If you've already RSVP'd, thank you and no need to do so again! We'll see you there!
Directions to the Farm Barn at Shelburne Farms at shelburnefarms.org/visit/getting-here
You're invited! Community Join VCLF next Wednesday, May 20th, 5-7pm at Shelburne Farms, for the kick-off celebration of our new Food, Farms & Forests Fund!
The Food, Farms & Forests Fund is a new capital resource dedicated to investing in Vermont's healthy foods, sustainable agriculture and natural resource enterprises.
The kick-off celebration will feature discussion of the new fund's goals and opportunities, remarks and stories from Loan Fund borrowers and investors, along with a tasting menu of great Vermont localvore foods and beverages, many sourced from VCLF borrowers.
“The new Food, Farms & Forests Fund is an important extension of the work the Loan Fund has been doing for twenty years, providing flexible financing and financial services to Vermont’s family farms, food and working landscape businesses,” said VCLF Executive Director Will Belongia.
Through the new fund, eligible borrowers will be able to access loan capital at low rates, thanks to VCLF investors who choose a lower rate of return on their investment. “On the flip side, philanthropists, foundations and other institutions will be able to dedicate their VCLF investments and grants directly into these specific sectors,” Belongia added.
The Food, Farms & Forests Fund has been developed and launched with generous grant support from Jane’s Trust. VCLF will also announce the first investor to “seed” the Fund at the kick-off event on May 20th.
Access to flexible growth capital like VCLF’s has been identified as a critical need for Vermont's food, farms and natural resources entrepreneurs by the Vermont Farm-to-Plate Strategic Plan and the Working Lands Enterprise Board.
The Loan Fund plans to provide $1 million in financing in the first year of the Fund’s operations, resulting in over 100 Vermont jobs. The Loan Fund's five-year strategic goal for the Fund is to lend $5 million, leading to approximately 520 Vermont jobs created or preserved.
"Vermont's local food systems and natural resources industries are central to our state’s health and economy,” said Belongia. “Now more than ever, Vermont needs the Food, Farms and Forests Fund.”
We'll hope to see you at the Food, Farms & Forests launch celebration! RSVP by Friday, May 15th to susan@vclf.org or call 802-223-4426. If you've already RSVP'd, thank you and no need to do so again! We'll see you there!
Directions to the Farm Barn at Shelburne Farms at shelburnefarms.org/visit/getting-here