Loans Support Food Entrepreneurs

In winter 2023, the nonprofit 2Forks Club (part of the Farm Collaborative, publisher of this magazine) gave out its 13th round of 0% interest loans to community farmers and local food entrepreneurs in the North Fork and Roaring Fork valleys. Summer 2023 saw those loans come to life. At Sunshine Beef (photo above) in Crawford, Tony Prendergrast purchased a burly e-bike that helps support the farm’s efficiency and sustainability as he navigates the pasture networks to irrigate, move electric fencing, and check and move cattle. High Desert Seed Company in Paonia put its loan toward construction of a new seed facility. In Basalt, Juniper Flowers is using its loan to support relocation and expansion as well as bringing on additional full-time employees. And at Top of the World Cultivators, founded and managed by Basalt’s Harrison Land Patrick, the loan is being put toward tools and equipment that will push the farm toward success.