Community Investment as Resistance: PVGrows Provides Opportunity to Support Farms and Food System 

As tariffs and funding cuts and freezes for federal agriculture programs leave producers uncertain about the future and threaten the stability of our food system, a local investment fund is seeking new community investments to meet the growing demand for capital from farm and food businesses.  

Since 2015, the Pioneer Valley Grows Investment Fund (PVGrows) has been there for farmers and local food businesses, providing accessible financing for expenses like equipment upgrades, expansions into retail operations, and emergency weather responses. Investments are different from philanthropic funds, as the money is paid back by borrowers and lent to new businesses. Therefore, while the fund currently has a balance of $2.7 million, more than $6 million has been lent to borrowers to date, meaning investors’ capital has gone twice as far. Meanwhile, demand from farmers has been outstripping the availability of funds, and the goal of this new investor drive is to reach the $5 million mark. 

“Having a $5 million fund to invest in local agriculture creates stability and community control,” said Hannah Sobel, Program Manager of PVGrows. “We think of alternative investments as a form of resistance to the rise of unchecked global corporations, which are now entering our political sphere in an unprecedented way. Grassroots community investment is proactive and empowers local business owners; this is more important now than it ever has been. Despite these challenges, it’s heartening to see community members stepping up and making investments, which shows they’re sticking with farms through thick and thin.” 

“The PVGrows Investment Fund has made it easy and welcoming for everyone to feel they can invest in our local food system,” said Deb Habib, a current investor and Seeds of Solidarity farmer. “As farmers as well as first time investors without significant funds, my partner and I continue to feel how much it matters, and it feels more proactive than a CD or savings account.” 

A program of the Franklin County Community Development Corporation, PVGrows was created to contribute to the sustainability and growth of our local agricultural sector through financing from community members. A new Social Impact Pool with a lower investment threshold of $500 was launched in 2022. The vehicle aggregates funds from individuals, families and foundations to fund values-aligned local businesses. PVGrows’ community investors have provided financing for 103 projects to date of varying scopes and sizes, including barn renovations, delivery truck purchases, vegetable washing stations, tractors, and implementation of climate smart practices.  

Harrison Bardwell of Bardwell Farm in Hatfield used PVGrows funds to purchase hoop houses to extend his growing season and mitigate against weather-related risks. “I think we’re finally opening our eyes to the fact that we need farms,” he said, “that we need the younger generation to farm, and that we can’t do it alone.” 

Those interested in learning more about PVGIF can find the PVGIF Offering Memorandum on the PVGrows website, pvgrows.net, or contact Hannah Sobel, (413) 774-7204 x112, hannahs@fccdc.org.