The Greater Berkshire Agriculture Fund

The Hudson Valley, Berkshire County & Western CT Loan Program (also known as the Greater Berkshire Agriculture Fund) is a partnership between The Carrot Project and Salisbury Bank and Trust Company. The program focuses on small and midsized farms and food system enterprises using sustainable or organic practices or products and located within the four county region of Dutchess, NY, Columbia, NY, Litchfield, CT, and Berkshire, MA. Food enterprises primarily engaged in processing, storage or distribution of agricultural products are encouraged to apply.

Eligible Borrowers:

Eligible borrowers are located within the four county region of Dutchess, NY, Columbia, NY, Berkshire, MA, and Litchfield, CT.

Farms:

• Annual gross revenue of $499,999 or less

• Applicants must be engaged in cultivation of farm, forest or aquatic products or adding value to such products produced locally

• The farm property may be owned or leased by the applicant but written leases should be in effect for at least the payment period of the loan.

Food Enterprises:

• Must be involved in processing, storage or distribution of agricultural products. Businesses whose primary purpose is to process, add value to, store, or act as distributors for local agricultural products are eligible. For example: agricultural co-ops, co-packers, food hubs, produce delivery companies, cheese makers, butcher shops and farm stands ARE eligible when distributing or adding value to local products.

• The sources of the ingredients or materials from which the product must be produced primarily within the four county area, although the points of sale need not be within this region.

• The business must have less than 50 employees.

• Agricultural industry support services such as veterinarians, feed & fertilizer stores, general retail outlets, or any business whose product is not primarily local & agricultural are not eligible. 

Loan Terms

• Loan amounts available from $5,000 to $75,000

• The interest is currently 4.99% 

• Flexible loan terms from 1-7 years. There is no penalty for early payment

• Funds may be used for operating or capital expenses

This program is not currently open for application.