Photo by Michael Murphy IV

Food & Farm Microloan

The Grain Train Natural Foods Market, Oryana Community Co-op, the Kalkaska Economic Development Corporation and Crosshatch have partnered to support the local food and farm economy by providing microloans for farmers and food entrepreneurs.

Applications for 2024 - 2025 microloans are OPEN

WHO IS eligible?

This project aims to enhance an existing local food or farming venture or to help start a new one in Northwest Lower Michigan. The ideal candidate will propose an idea that would boost a farm or food business and elevate the region’s local food system. Applicants using sustainable practices are strongly encouraged, but proposals are not limited to particular practices or scale.

Kalkaska Economic Development Corporation funds applicants with Businesses Located in Kalkaska county.

Grain Train Natural Foods Market funds applicants from the following counties:

  • Antrim

  • Charlevoix

  • Cheboygan

  • Emmet

  • Otsego

Oryana Community Co-op funds applicants from the following counties:

  • Benzie

  • Grand Traverse

  • Kalkaska

  • Leelanau

  • Manistee

  • Missaukee

  • Wexford

USES FOR LOAN

  • essential tools for the farm or food business

  • materials, land, livestock, or essential infrastructure (reoccurring annual inputs discouraged)

  • certification

  • marketing and distribution

  • professional development

  • value-added product production

  • processing, packaging, and marketing for farm products

*production of CBD and food products containing CBD will not be considered for funding due to present discrepancies between federal and state regulation of this substance.

LOAN DETAILS

  • applicants may request $500 - $10,000 based on evidence of project potential

  • repayment terms are negotiable (typical repayment time frame is 12 - 18 months)

  • 0% interest rate

  • no application fee

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact Daniel Marbury at (231) 714 - 9730 or daniel@crosshatch.org.

Please submit your anonymous questions regarding this microloan here. Some questions have been addressed in a microloan FAQ post on this page which includes the video from an informational session recorded January 7, 2022.