Appalachian
Sustainable Agriculture
Project
306 West Haywood Street
Asheville, NC 28801
Voice: 828-236-1282
Fax: 828-236-1280 Email
Us
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project is
a
501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization.
Access to Capital
Farmland, equipment, labor, and marketing are all cost-intensive. Without enough money in hand, it can be impossible to expand or start a farm. Here are some possible sources of capital for farmers:
Cost share funds are available from ASAP to help pay your marketing costs.
Grants are few, generally a long shot, and highly competitive. When they are available, they are most often targeted at existing farms’ new projects. Check our list (linked above), and contact ASAP for advice if you find a grant you think is worth seeking.
Loans are the most likely way to finance a farm or a farm expansion. Loans can be from yourself, from friends or family, from a mainstream commercial or farm credit lender, or from a nontraditional or nonprofit lender. ASAP has helped farmers connect with lenders, including Shade Fund, Carolina Farm Credit, Self-Help, and Natural Capital Investment Fund. Project partner Mountain BizWorks offers microloans and can also help you with loan packaging and connections to other lenders.
Looking for the weekly Fresh at Farmers Markets update? Find it at FromHere.org, ASAP's new community website, along with other news, photos, local food and farm events, and more. While you're there, join the conversation!
Curious about the difference your donation can make? Here are some examples of what ASAP can accomplish with your support:
-$1,000 helps farmers access new markets
-$500 brings a class of school children to a local farm
-$100 funds a cooking demo on how to prepare fresh foods
-$50 trains a farmer in new skills -$25 provides seeds and resources for school gardens
Click here to give your gift to ASAP today. Or, give on behalf of a loved one and tell the recipient about the good work that will be done in his or her name.
