Tri-state area investors who want to help young and early-stage farmers, boost community development and receive a modest investment their return are invited to join the Local Farms Fund.

The fund gives sustainable farmers secure land access through lease-to-own arrangements on farm properties in the states connected to the NYC metropolitan area (the NY Foodshed). The investment model is structured to meet the needs of the farmers while providing security to the investors. A Slow Money NYC project designed using Slow Money principles, the fund facilitates positive social change through farm business and community development and positive environmental change through the expansion of sustainable agriculture, while also generating a financial return for the investors.

This investment model reduces risks and costs by starting with talented sustainable farmers. The investment itself is supported by a strong capital asset, farmland. The leases are structured to help the farmers—and therefore the investors—succeed. The fund is overseen by a board and managed by Trellis Capital L3C, which has a history of successful farmland impact investments.

Under the current offering, Local Farms Fund is raising $1 million to purchase three farm properties in the NY Foodshed. The fund is targeting a 3 percent annual return, with 2 percent to be paid out each year from the rental income on the properties. The remaining capital, plus an incremental 1 percent annual appreciation, will be returned upon the sale of the farm property to the farmer. The minimum investment into the fund is $10,000.

For more info, contact Kevin Egolf at 860.918.3563 or [email protected], or visit LocalFarmsFund.com.