Slow Money Western Slope
"We must learn to invest as if food, farms and fertility mattered. We must connect donors/investors to the places where they live, creating healthy relationships and new sources of capital for small food enterprises." - Slow Money Principle
Mission
Building healthy community, through investing, for the support of a local, sustainable food future.
We are working to change the way we invest in our local economy; to find a new way to fund locally-produced food.
Using charitable donations and 0% interest loans, together, we’re building a permanent, community-driven, revolving fund.
Purpose and Need
Consistent with the mission of the Slow Food Western Slope, Slow Money Western Slope (SMWS) promotes local sustainable agriculture by providing community-based no-interest revolving loan funds to North Fork Valley and neighboring Western Slope region farmers and agricultural-based businesses. SMWS is also a catalyst for grassroots fundraising for local food systems and local farming.
While we all love the idea of small and mid-sized farms growing great food for our tables and purchasing items from food businesses, the reality is that their endeavor is hard work and it is challenging to make a decent living. On top of that, these small-scale businesses are the ones that have the hardest time securing bank financing because they often lack collateral, are too small, or are trying something new (and thus are too risky for traditional lenders.)
No-interest loans from a revolving loan fund are offered through a peer-reviewed application process to local farmers and other food enterprises in the North Fork Valley and surrounding areas. The program will focus on food production/distribution needs such as equipment, infrastructure and seasonal operating expenses. SMWS will be volunteer led with minimal overhead anticipated.
Goals and Objectives
- Support some of the financial needs of local farmers, ranchers, producers and agricultural-based businesses who grow, make or sell food that supports the local and regional food system
- Keep local capital circulating locally
- Maintain a fair and transparent process that benefits agricultural-based businesses and other community members
- Engage local agricultural-based business and community members in the decision-making process