Business Support
Zero-cost services customized to your business needs.
As any farmer knows, the job is not done when you leave the field. To build a thriving business, farmers and food entrepreneurs must have a clear vision for what they want to do and a financial and operational strategy to help them achieve it.
Part of Foodshed Capital's mission is to make the business side of farming easier to navigate—whether we’ve made a loan to you or not.
Through philanthropic support as well as grant funding from USDA and American Farmland Trust, we provide the following services at zero cost to regenerative farmers and food business owners:
Customized 1:1 Support
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Big-picture business strategy
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Budget preparation
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Revenue projection
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Cash flow analysis
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Bookkeeping training
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Website design
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Social media management
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Sales and marketing
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Preparing you to file taxes
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Expansion planning
Lending Readiness
Have a clear idea of your expansion needs? This program is focused specifically on ensuring your business is ready to take on debt and working with you to successfully complete a loan application.
Whether you're seeking financing from FoodCap, USDA FSA, or another lender, we're here to decrease overwhelm as you navigate the application and increase your chance of success.
FoodCap's Business Support program is for regenerative farmers or food business owners who want to make the most strategic decisions for the future of their business.
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If you've come to us looking for capital but our Lending team has reviewed your documents and you're not quite ready for a loan
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If you've got a good start on your financials but aren't quite sure where to invest for success
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If you have accounting software but it's a mess and not up-to-date
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If you have all your business receipts in a shoebox and want to get started with a better system
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If you have organized financials but you're not sure what they say about your business
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If you want to increase financial literacy but feel nervous about asking basic questions. . .
Free Accounting Software for Virginia BIPOC Farmers
Are you a Virginia-based regenerative farmer who identifies as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color?
Through a sub-grant from American Farmland Trust's Regenerate Virginia program, we have funding available to cover the cost of your accounting software subscription (typically QuickBooks Online) for one year. We can also provide zero-cost support in helping you clean up your books or analyze your financials.
Testimonials
"My experience working with the team at Foodshed Capital was phenomenal. Both Emily and India were extremely helpful, resourceful and patient. This process unveiled where our farm needed the most help, guided us to appropriate resources, and provided the necessary financial support to make that assistance possible.
Most importantly, this process has set us on a path towards fiscal strength, economic stability and a sound business foundation.
Howard Allen
Faithfull Farms
Chapel Hill, NC
"I’ve never thought of my farm like this. I’ve never looked at what my business is actually made of.”
Lafayette Powell
Deerehaven Farm
Spring Grove, Virginia
Foodshed Capital worked with Mr. Powell to better understand his finances, develop financial reports, and successfully apply for a loan to purchase new cover for his high tunnel. He was then able to extend his growing season for an additional 8 weeks and increase his profitability for the year.
The Business Support Team
Your first point of contact is Alex Pate, Director of Agricultural Business Advising.
He and other members of our staff will work with you to learn more about your business, develop a support plan tailored to your needs, and loop in additional staff where needed. If FoodCap can't support all your business needs in-house, we'll bring on experienced, equity-focused professionals in our network to partner with us on the process.
Alex Pate
Emily Tybur