APTOS, Calif. — Communities across California appreciate local farmers and ranchers as sources of fresh, farm-to-table foods, but how are those growers doing? Working with farmers for 20 years, California FarmLink understands they are often under-capitalized in ways that limit near-term profits and may threaten their long-term viability.
On Wednesday, September 30th from 4:30 to 6:00pm, California FarmLink will host its one-of-a-kind Farm Finance Forum: Responsible Borrowing During Uncertain Times.
The free online webinar brings together growers, educators, and agricultural lenders to help farmers and ranchers learn about financing options during times of crisis and gain knowledge to support long-term business success.
Albert Straus, founder and CEO of Straus Family Creamery, will present a keynote talk entitled “Today and the Future: Redefining a Viable Farming Model.” The program also includes a panel of farmers to discuss how access to credit was critical to their success. “We’ve seen the stress caused by financing a business on credit cards, and the relief that is possible with a small business loan to ease seasonal cash flow, secure scarce labor, and improve product quality,” said Reggie Knox, Executive Director of California FarmLink.
This financing forum has a focus in the North Bay region but growers statewide will benefit. One farmer who spoke at last year’s event, Hansel Kern, reflected, “The Farm Finance event was a chance to realize that we were not the only ones with financial issues, and to learn what resources are available. We really appreciate the guidance made possible by FarmLink.”
Learn more about the event and register here. The webinar is provided free of charge. Special thanks to our Rainmaker sponsor Farm Credit and Propagator sponsors Exchange Bank and Farmer Mac, along with banks, foundations and public agencies that support FarmLink’s programs. Join us!
Farm Finance Forum: Responsible Borrowing During Uncertain Times
Wednesday, September 30, 2010 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Register for the Online Webinar
–California FarmLink