Financing Our Foodshed
September 2018
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It is with a deep sense of gratitude that we send out this first email newsletter for Slow Money Central Virginia. Thank you so much to all of those who have supported us in one way or another since we launched our initiative this past May. In the past several months we have been very busy making connections and charting our course. We hope you enjoy this update and are willing to stay connected with us.
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Now Accepting Loan Applications
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The mission of Slow Money Central Virginia is to support the financial needs of farmers in our region. Our inaugural program called
SOIL (Slow Opportunities for Investing Locally) is a 0% revolving loan program. We’re hoping to be able to facilitate loans soon and are now accepting applications. We can’t stress enough that no request is too small, as we want to be a friendly source of capital to help farm businesses grow in a way that’s best for them.
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The
2Forks Club in Carbondale, Colorado has been pioneering a SOIL program with great success since 2015. Slow Money CVA co-founder Michael Reilly recently had the pleasure to meet in Colorado with 2 Forks founder Susan Brady. The 2 Forks Club put together a great video of the SOIL program. Take a look...
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Woody Tasch & Joel Salatin
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Speaking of pioneers,
Slow Money founder Woody Tasch and
Polyface Farm's famed Joel Salatin will team up in Charlottesville in early November to help spread the excitement about nurture capital and local regenerative agriculture. We'll have more details soon. In the meantime, if you have not read Woody's new book, which came out earlier this year, it's outstanding and we highly recommend it. You can order it here...
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Take Action for Food Justice!
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The
Charlottesville Food Justice Network (of which Slow Money CVA is an active member), believes eradicating hunger and cultivating a food secure city is possible. On October 1st, CFJN will present a
food equity proposal to City Council to advance food access for all citizens. So far the petition has 100 signatories, but we can do better!
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2018 Farm To Table Conference
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Slow Money CVA Co-founder Michael Reilly will be participating in a breakout discussion at the 2018 Virginia Farm to Table Conference. Michael will be on a panel with Reverend Dr. Heber Brown III, Senior Pastor of Pleasant Hope Baptist Church and founder of the Black Church Food Security Network in Baltimore, MD. Rev. Brown is also one of the event's keynote speakers. The event is scheduled for December 5 – 6, 2018 at Blue Ridge Community College’s Plecker Workforce Development Center in Weyers Cave, VA.
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Exploring the Small Farm Dream Course
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Piedmont Environmental Council is once again hosting its
Exploring the Small Farm Dream Course this fall. It is designed to guide students through an initial exploratory decision-making process, bridging the gap between ideas and action. Slow Money will contribute to the last session on Nov. 13 focusing on finances.
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Virginia Association of Biological Farming Conference
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The 20th Anniversary of the VABF Conference is scheduled for January 2019 in Richmond. Be sure to mark your calendar for this year's event. Slow Money CVA will be running a pre-conference workshop to help farmers develop a polished business and marketing presentation.
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Land and Table/Slow Money
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Lynchburg Land and Table will be hosting Slow Money CVA at their monthly potluck meeting on October 16 for a discussion about financing the local foodshed. Join us if you're in the area or pass this along to anyone you know in the area.
Land and Table is a grassroots network of independent farmers, organic gardeners, homesteaders, locavores, and local food advocates, who are passionate about pursuing more sustainable ways of living life and growing food in the Lynchburg, Virginia regional area.
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Other Events & Opportunities
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Real Local RVA's Urban Farm Tour
September 29, 12:30pm-8:30pm
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Real Local RVA is hosting its 3rd Annual Farm Tour. This year’s tour will feature four urban farms located in the city of Richmond, VA with the goal to introduce consumers to urban agriculture farmers right in their own neighborhoods.
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Virginia Impact Summit
October 4 & 5
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The office of Governor Northam, the
Virginia Impact Investing Forum, and
Social Entrepreneurship at UVA will be co-hosting the “Virginia Impact Summit.”
Virginia’s philanthropists, impact investors, social entrepreneurs, policymakers and change agents will come together to catalyze partnerships and accelerate the growth of Virginia’s Impact Economy.
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University of Virginia Symposium
October 17 & 18
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This two-day symposium is entitled:
Our Evolving Food System: From Slavery to Sovereignty. It will engage scholars and the University and Charlottesville community to more greatly understand the past in order to more fully envision the future of our food system. The symposium goals are to increase knowledge, awareness and history-telling about the continuing legacy of the slavery-based food system, and to engage all participants in visioning specific ways that UVA can support a healing path to food sovereignty in Charlottesville and beyond.
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Rural Resiliency Forum
October 23, 9am-3pm
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T
he
Resilient Virginia
Rural Resiliency Forum will be held in Staunton, and its goal is to bring together public, private, and university stakeholders who are interested in improving the resiliency and prosperity of rural areas of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Look for it to include a discussion about the importance of financial support for the local foodshed!
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Community Food Awards
October 25, 6pm-8:30pm
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Each year,
Local Food Hub
recognizes farmers, businesses, and community partners for their commitment to small farms, healthy communities, and Virginia agriculture during our Community Food Awards ceremony. The evening will include a locally sourced meal and beverages, a bonfire, and live music. This event is family-friendly and open to all.
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Help Us Reach Our Goal...
The mission of Slow Money Central Virginia is to provide financial support to the local foodshed through the principles of nurture capital. We can only achieve our mission with the generous support of our community members who believe passionately in our local food system. Help us reach our $50,000 goal for our SOIL program by the end of the year
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