Rocky Mountain Garlic: 
Awarded a loan in 2020 and another in 2022. With the loans the farm has added a small “walk-in” for refrigeration and a substantial “hoop” house to extend the growing season. The construction of the market shed was improved to offer a steady income stream throughout early Spring into late Fall. Tiffany and Mike offered a “Winter CSA” for the first time this season. Tiffany is able to work full time for the farm, w/o having to hold a second, part time job too. The production has doubled since 2020.

Badger Creek Ranch:
The used tractor purchased with loan money the vegetable garden has increased in size and production, with the tractor being used for a lot of the manual labor.  The owners are able to supply some of their own produce to their guests during the summer who are staying at the ranch. Sometimes, they have extra to sell at the summer Farmers Market along with their meat products.

Jumpin’ Good Goat Dairy:
The loan was to extend the retail space at the dairy. This development was very important during the first few years of the pandemic, with the need for social distancing. Many visitors can be in the space and have access to purchasing the Jumpin’ Good Goat Dairy products and swag and still feel “safe” with social distancing. These sales are important in the cash flow for the business. Dawn, the owner is able to display more product and offer more varieties of her cheeses.

Elements Mountain Compost:
Julie Mach, owner, was just named “entrepreneur of the year in Chaffee County. A new, automated sifter was purchased with the 2022 $10,000 loan increasing capacity and efficiency to turn food and agricultural waste into compost. The number of customers (both who contribute material for compost and those who purchase the finished compost) has more than doubled since 2020.

Elevation Farm & Orchard:
Tiffany and Armando Vigil are selling the greens and herbs grown in the vertical growing system through the SLV Valley Roots Food Hub and direct sales. With the loan from Soil Sangre De Cristo they were able to 10x their gross sales.  Armando is now the head of the Education Department for the Rio Grande Farm Park.  He has been very instrumental in making contact with those farmers and others in the region, introducing them to SOIL Sangre de Cristo.

Fungus Among Us:
Nathan, owner, has been struggling a bit with producing more product through the colder months. The loan was used to install special growing lights and better insulation for the “mushroom grow house”. He is sticking with his plan and improving the growing conditions as much as possible. Even with the slower production than expected all payments on the loan have been paid on time. He continues to improve. The support he feels from the members of SOIL Sangre de Cristo has helped him sustain his vision.