As of mid 2024 we have awarded 34 loans totaling more than $860,000

In 2017, with a start-up cash infusion from SlowMoney Institute and founding SOIL angels, SOIL-Boulder began providing local food entrepreneurs with a new option for financing their dreams.  Instead of having to run up credit card debt, or approach banks in the hopes of getting the capital they needed, we created a new model for small food enterprises to stay in business. 

Our members span all ages, and come from different backgrounds.  The common denominator is our shared  interest to foster and safeguard access to healthy food for our community.  Members make a tax-deductible contribution to the loan fund, and participate in the voting process to grant loans.  

Pioneering a New Model

The SOIL model has been pioneered since 2014 by the 2Forks Club (Carbondale, CO), which was co-founded by the Slow Money Institute and Roaring Fork Valley resident Susan Brady. 2Forks Club has made loans totaling more than $800,000.

NOTE: This video is adapted from the full length documentary, How We Grow (2017). It’s just too beautiful not to share, even though the data is from 2017.

Investing in our Local Food Systems

We’re using charitable donations and 0% loans to fund the next generation of diversified, regenerative farms and the small food enterprises that bring their produce to the local market. This is investing that leaves the returns in, for the benefit of future generations.

If you are a farmer or food entrepreneur looking for funding, click below to begin your application process.

APPLY FOR A LOAN

Leadership Team

  • Tana Schultz

    Executive Committee President

    A retired educator and entertainment business owner in LA, Tana transplanted to Colorado 14 years ago. When starting a small hobby farm she became passionate about regenerative farming and the environmental and cultural impact it has on the community.

  • Dan Yechout

    Executive Committee Treasurer

    After careers in semiconductors and solar energy, Dan has become passionate about the power of local food systems to heal people and planet.

  • Suzanne Prendergast

    Executive Committee Vice President

    A Chef Educator and passionate home gardener, Suzanne sees a real need to focus on creating structures that will protect and bolster our local food supply.

  • Julia Wolfe

    Executive Committee Member at Large

    Julia has a 16-year career in all sectors of the food industry including farming and culinary education. A 2-year stint as the General Manager of The Hickory Nut Gap ‘FARM-ily’ in Asheville NC really deepened her desire to be an active participant in her local food community, and to support its food producers. She recently became part of the team at Grama Grass & Livestock.

  • Amanda Hartt

    Executive Committee Secretary

    Amanda brings 10+ years of experience in research and consulting roles, working for both SPINS and New Hope Network to measure and grow the natural products industry. With an MS in Food Policy, Amanda looks at the dimensionality of marketplace challenges to identify opportunities that grow and transform food systems to build thriving communities. She is dedicated to cultivating systems that work towards shifting power back to the producer.