A recent applicant for an HSF grant…
Rachael and Chris Jones were hoping to fulfill their dream to expand their agritourism business on a recently purchased 29-acre farm.
For two years the Jones had struggled to arrange the financing for a 29-acre property, called Sumac Creek Farm. They were finally successful and purchased Sumac Creek with broad community support and a mortgage from Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT. They closed on their farm on February 28, 2022.
To make their dream happen, the Jones reached out to the local community to raise the initial capital. Over 20 investors kicked in $339,000 for a down payment of over 50% of the purchase price. Iroquois Valley was then enabled to fund a mortgage needed for the closing. The groundswell of community support was exciting.
The Jones knew that their work resonated with people – they run a multi-faceted business growing food and serving it at their Dine on the Land events, in addition to a CSA program, cut flower subscription, and more. They emphasize youth education through immersive summer camps, cooking classes, and gardening workshops. To continue and expand this work, they needed more land. Sumac Creek Farm includes buildings to support more programming for farm-stays and events, plus more acreage to expand their vegetable, flower, and livestock operations.