Members of SOIL Sangre di Cristo met (via ZOOM) on March 14 to hear presentations and to ask questions of the two loan application finalists. Presenting for Jumpin’ Good Goat Dairy was owner and founder Dawn Jump, and for Badger Creek Ranch, Chrissy McFarren, one of the three owners. After the presentations and following questions, members had a discussion and chose to award both farms their requested amounts of $10,000 and $5,000 respectively. These are three year interest-free loans.
Congratulations to both farms and a truly heartfelt thank you for all your hard work, for your dedication to sustainable farming practices, and for how you enrich our communities with all that you offer. You are truly amazing.
Badger Creek Ranch, LLC - Canon City
Badger Creek Ranch is co-owned by Chrissy and Dave McFarren and Andrea Evers. This ranch operates as a dual business with one part being agri-tourism and the other being the raising and selling of livestock meat. From the end of May through the end of October, guests are involved with learning through actual work and attending workshops to discover more about sustainable farming. Meanwhile, the farm provides its animal products through local farmers’ markets and online. Products include their own raised beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey and eggs.
Chrissy stated that “Our overall mission for the ranch is to turn the ranch into a land trust so that the educational work (HMI work, retreats, workshops, apprenticeships and land health) can continue on the land long after we are gone.”
Badger Creek Ranch applied for a loan of $5,000 which it wants to use toward the purchase of a used tractor needed mainly for hauling and spreading compost at their new farm garden in Coaldale. Due to the owners’ commitment to regenerative farming methods, there is no tilling or plowing of their soil.
To learn more about Badger Creek Ranch, please visit www.badgercreekranch.com
Jumpin’ Good Goat Dairy, LLC – Buena Vista
Dawn Jump began her dairy in 2002 as a farmstead goat cheese creamery with three does and one buck. By 2014 her stock had grown to over 200 milking does, yielding 35,000 pounds of cheese per year. Today, the dairy partners with two Amish dairies to provide quality milk from humanely raised livestock; the focus of the dairy has shifted toward sustaining and expanding the artisan creamery while keeping the quality of the milk supply and their farming practices intact.
Jumpin ’Good Goat Dairy asked for a loan of $10,000 to go towards doubling its retail space. Dawn will be finishing the interior of her store as well as adding retail fixtures like coolers and shelving. The store also provides a venue for other select producers to sell some of their products.
Due to the pandemic, Dawn has seen the need to shift her focus mainly to the retail market; she is certain that expanding her retail space will greatly enhance this growth.
To learn more about Jumpin’ Good Goat Dairy, please go to: www.jumpingoodgoats.com
