SOIL Sangre de Cristo has welcomed AMICAS, Soulcraft Brewing and First Southwest Community Fund as its inaugural business sponsors. The SOIL peer-to-peer lending program hopes to make its first round of zero-interest loans available this fall to small farmers within the greater San Luis Valley.
As previously reported by Ark Valley Voice, business sponsorships begin at $1,000. Sponsors are eligible to vote on loans made by SOIL Sangre de Cristo. Chair PJ Bergin said that community members are a fundamental part of achieving fundraising goals.
Logo Courtesy SOIL Sangre de Cristo
“Investing in the local economy keeps our money here where the returns build for future generations,” Bergin said. “We hope news of these sponsorships will become a catalyst for others in the community to step up in support of local farmers, small ranchers and food processors in the South-Central Colorado region.”
“We want to do whatever we can to support it,” said Kathie Younghans of AMICAS . “We have been doing so for a long time and this was one more opportunity to become involved. We trust that SOIL can give some much-needed support to local, innovative entrepreneurs in food production and manufacturing
“As a community-connected small business owner, I realize the essential nature of local farming and food,” said Michael LaCroix, CEO of Soulcraft, the Salida-based brewery and tasting room. “I meet so many people that are putting their dreams and passion into action and know firsthand how difficult finding local financial resources can be. Diversity and intention make for a better and more dynamic community. We support SOIL with hopes that small, local farms will thrive and become an even greater resource for all of us.”
“The Slow Money model is creative and innovative and enables SOIL Sangre de Cristo to provide needed resources to our agricultural business owners,” Cass Walker Harvey, executive director of the First Southwest Community Fund, said. The Alamosa-based fund supports economic opportunity in rural Colorado with non-traditional loans and gap financing. “As we’ve seen in the COVID-19 crisis, local food production is crucial to a healthy ecosystem and we look forward to seeing the impact SOIL has for the San Luis Valley.”
SOIL Sangre de Cristo’s mission is to unite the Valley’s communities through improved food security and direct support for local farmers, ranchers and food producers. Since its launch in spring, the nonprofit has raised $33,000 through memberships and a 50 percent matching grant from the Mighty Arrow foundation. The organization hopes to raise $50,000 by October of 2020.
For membership and sponsorship information click here.
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