Local Farms Fund was a small impact investment fund launched in 2014 and successfully closed in 2022. LFF provided early-stage, community-oriented farmers in the New York Foodshed with access to land through a farmer-friendly lease-to-buy structure. The Fund was co-founded by nine Slow Money NYC seed investors and Working Farms Management, a pioneer in developing sustainable agriculture investment funds. Fund management was transferred to Trellis Capital L3C in 2018, consistent with the original transition plan. Leadership of Local Farms Fund was provided by Steve Fondiller (Chairperson), Kevin Egolf (Manager) and Jesse Voremberg (Associate Manager) alongside long-time Board of Directors (Aileen Gribbin, David Llewellyn, Jeffrey Potent and Stephen Filler). All in all, Local Farms Fund brought together over 40 investors to support three farm investments, making over 150 acres of land available to early-stage farmers and creating several jobs in the process. Additionally, the Fund had a positive impact on the local food system and community by supporting sustainable agriculture practices. Each purchased and leased farm investment was successfully sold to an early-stage farmer, resulting in positive financial returns for the investors alongside deep social and environmental impacts.
If you would like to learn more about Local Farms Fund, please connect with Kevin Egolf/Trellis Capital L3C.