Business Plan. Built home on 3 generation family farm in 1995

Transcription

1 Mission Statement Fields of Agape, LLC will work with farm and community partners to produce, package, and distribute organic whole foods using sustainable practices that nourish the land and surrounding communities.

2 Business Plan Built home on 3 generation family farm in 1995 Started planting seeds again Realized importance of stewardship of the land Realized need for generating revenue to offset property maintenance costs Developed plan from increasing awareness of no local food production Developed plan in 2005 based on existing assets Equipment: Tractor, wagon, grain cleaner Land: 12 tillable acres

3 Grains, Beans and Seeds Results of first harvest in heat of 2007 lots of pest problems! How will we keep grains and seeds pest free for our customers? Contacted regional grain specialists to discuss successful methods of pest control and grain storage without use of chemicals. New infrastructure requirement cold storage critical! How can existing assets be used to meet our need? Unused floor space in existing barn Existing windmill, alternative energy Funding Opportunities SARE Farmer/Rancher Grant

4 First SARE Grant Attended course and received Grant Writing Certification Interviewed cold storage/grain storage specialists Interviewed alternative energy specialists Determined ways to test wind energy with geothermal for long range sustainability Identified qualifying budget items, developed materials and methods list Considered how the project would benefit other farmers and the community

5 SARE Project Purpose Goal: To utilize a geothermal cooling system along with block and non- porous insulation construction to regulate a cold, dry climate that prohibits pests (i.e. weavil, rodents) and mold from grains, beans and seeds in storage. Focus: Cost- effective, sustainable community cold storage for grains and specialty crops. Can be expanded for fruit and vegetable storage.

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7 Crop Rota<ons Flax/Buckwheat in rotation with Hulless Oats/ Turnips Welch Farm (35 acres) Hulless Oats/Beans in rotation with Hulless Oats/ Corn Avery Farm (50 acres) *Oats will be used as cover crop in corn rotation. Oats as potential grain crop in bean rotation, dependent on spring planting conditions and potential harvest date. *Hulless Oats will be grown and harvested every other year at Welch farm to maintain seed inventory for cover crop and gluten- free grain and value- added food

8 Past Challenges Hundred- year rains 2010: Lost 40 acres of golden and brown flax, red and white wheat Planting/harvest windows: Lack of drying days after first frost have presented challenges with dry- down of in- row weeds, pushes fall crop harvest late which can impact yields. No winter kill 2011/2012: Weed pressure for 2012 was unprecedented. Drought conditions existed when discing in cover crop, created mechanical cultivation issues due to dusty, loose soil. Major crop loss.

9 Ac<on Results from Challenges Crop loss in 2010 reached out to Langeland Farms, identified their need of cold storage for popcorn. We stored and sold popcorn, shared revenues with Langeland Farms, purchased millstone, and added value- added products to distribution Crop loss 2012 reached out to neighboring farm who has interest in transitioning to organic on part of 2,000 acres. We can share knowledge of organic specialty crops, he has in- depth ag knowledge and equipment fleet which includes corn head, additional cultivators, and hauling capacity. Sharing of expenses and revenues.

10 Future Equipment Goals: Golden Flax/Buckwheat Fields Swather Pickup Head No- till Cut crops for in- field dry- down, minimize flax pod shatter, increase yields. Crimper Roller 3 Point Hitch Used on 806 International Flexibility in working fields can roll down oats and plant simultaneously as field and weather conditions change

11 Future Coopera<ve Goals: Expand sustainable and cooperative growing, milling, packaging, marketing and distribution with neighboring farms to build regional food security Expand value- added gluten- free products Sustainable Energy further develop wind, water, and solar resources for processing sites Further develop partnerships with experts who will play a role in developing educational curriculum and programs focused on sustainability, alternative energy, whole food nutritional benefits, and food security

12 Markets THANKS to the following for their support: Bloomingfoods, Bloomington FARMBloomington Restaurant, Bloomington The Good Earth, Broad Ripple Pogue s Run Grocer, Indianapolis Clear Creek Food Co- op, Richmond Trader s Point Creamery, Zionsville Indy Winter Farmer s Market, Indianapolis City Market, Indianapolis Aperio Consulting and Campbell Arts

13 Contact Informa<on Fields of Agape, LLC Contact Information: Website Phone SARE Project search project #FNC Across Indiana Episode 1903, The Wonder Plant segment, narrative of flax harvest