Fundraising for farmers
Grow Ahead loans assist growers
MEXICO
A new initiative is attempting to raise $10,000 via crowdfunding to help 10 small-scale coffee farmers in Chiapas, Mexico.
The initiative, launched in early November by Oregon-based Grow Ahead, intends to generate small loans that will be directed to smallholder coffee producers who can then start organic honey production and diversify their income opportunities. The money will be managed in a savings and credit fund called FondoMás, organized by Impacto Café, a non-profit in Mexico.
“Through micro-loans, the small-scale farmers at FondoMás can implement income diversification programs that stabilize rural communities and provide important ecosystem services,” said Grow Ahead director Ryan Zinn. “By equipping farmers with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to design and lead their own honey initiatives, they are able to secure their livelihoods and contribute to their own community-based development.”
The fundraising effort will help local farmers finance their own loans without the need of local lenders who charge exorbitant interest rates, according to a Grow Ahead statement. “The program will also help connect farmers to major national buyers while eliminating dependency on predatory intermediaries.”
To learn more about the challenges facing the farmers, visit the Grow Ahead website – www.growahead.org