Farmers Market Coalition

The Microloan Fund for New England Farmers will be accepting applications
through February 7, 2009.  Loan applications for amounts ranging from $1,000 to
$10,000, for terms up to 5 years, will be accepted. For this initial pilot
round of loans, applications will be limited to farms located in Vermont or in
Western Massachusetts (Berkshire, Hampshire, Hampden and Franklin Counties)
with a primary focus on small loans to small and mid-sized farms that use
sustainable or organic methods (or are moving toward them), and that are
marketing at least a portion of their products to local markets.

Eligibility is limited to farms with 250 acres, or less, in active production,
and annual gross revenue of $250,000 or less. Acceptable purposes for the loans
are capital investments and other expenses that help improve efficiency or
quality, or that expand production and sales; repairs necessary to maintain
farm operations; short term operating needs such as inventory, supplies or
labor; and emergency funds to deal with business interruptions from fire,
natural disasters, or other unforeseeable events.

For more information about the program or an application go to
www.thecarrotproject.org , e-mail info@thecarrotproject.org , or call Dorothy
Suput at 617-666-9637.