The 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 countys of  Litchfield, CT, and Berkshire, MA. Food enterprises primariliy engaged in processing, storage or distribution of agricultural products are encouraged to apply.

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

Application Deadline: Always the 1st of the month or the next business day if the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday. 

Click here to access our Loan Inquiry Form

If you would prefer to fill out the inquiry form as a hard copy, you may download one here.

Eligible Borrowers

Eligible borrowers are located within the counties of Berkshire, MA* and Litchfield, CT.

*Applicants located in Berkshire County, MA are also eligible for our Massachusetts Agriculture Loan Program, and should email Jeff Cole at businessassistance(at)thecarrotproject.org to determine which program best meets their needs. 

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. 

If you would like more information regarding the requirements for this loan application, please access the loan application checklist and terms & eligibility here. 

If you have any questions, would like assistance in developing your application for this program, or are interested in receiving updates about the Hudson Valley & Western Connecticut Loan Program, please contact Dorothy Suput at dsuput(at)thecarrotproject.org.

 Farm Financial Templates - Free Downloads

You may submit your financials for the application in any format, but if you would prefer a template for your financial statements, you may download one here. 

Ironwood Farm, Ghent, NY

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