Organic and ecological farmers can now access interest-free, unsecured loans of up to £25,000 following the relaunch of the charitable Dean Organic Fund. Run by the Organic Research Centre, the fund was established by Jennie Bone, a passionate organic farmer who wanted to create a legacy for conservation and organic farming methods.
The loans are available to small or start-up farming businesses who might otherwise struggle to secure commercial funding, explains Chris Jones, adviser to the Dean Organic Fund. Terms range from two to five years, with loans from £5,000 to £25,000. “We are looking to make a big impact, and support a wide variety of enterprises founded on organic farming principles. The Fund is open to applicants from all walks of life, and may just provide that turn-key investment to a well-founded enterprise.”
Since 2018, the Fund has supported nearly 50 farmers, producers and food businesses, ranging from market gardens in the Cotswolds to a pop-up organic shop on the North Coast 500 route. Other businesses include organic dairies in Devon and a community-led vegetable enterprise in Somerset.
Sally Hempsell benefited from a £25,000 loan to invest in cattle and a four-wheel drive vehicle to move them between sites as part of her conservation grazing business in North West England. Grazing Matters provides a mix of grazing regimes tailored to different conservation needs. “Farming and food production can work alongside the conservation of special habitats and biodiversity,” she says. “The loan was instrumental in allowing me to set up the business.”
In each case, the loan terms are moulded to suit the business requirements and realistic repayment terms, says Mr Jones. “We do not expect a return on our investment, but we do expect to see the legacy fund delivering growth in the organic sector; with loan applications reaching a high bar of planning and thought.”
Loans can be made to finance transformative investment in equipment, innovation, stock or other forms of capital, excluding property or land. Applicants are welcome from private or public companies, sole traders, partnerships, and community / social or charitable enterprises with a legal entity.
“Applicants will preferably be certified organic producers or in conversion, but otherwise should follow practices closely aligned to organic principles,” says Mr Jones. “This really is a golden opportunity for businesses exploring, innovating or expanding in the organic sector.”
Editors’ notes
The Organic Research Centre (ORC) is a small charity, yet it is the UK’s leading independent research organisation for agroecological farming approaches such as organic and agroforestry. It drives its own research agenda to tackle global issues by acting locally and finding community-based solutions for farmers and their supply chains.
For more information please email DOF@organicresearchcentre.com.
