INVESTING LOCALLY
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urchasing locally supports regional farms, ranches, and producers, but what if we could do more? Regional food businesses need investment to transform and innovate their growing methods, meet the needs of their customers, and fill gaps in the local food system. The Impact Idaho Fund is putting local, mission-driven capital to work funding diversified farm operations and building resilience in our community. Since mid-2021, the Impact Idaho Fund has distributed more than $100,000 to three farms producing food for the Wood River Valley. Their stories demonstrate three different models for meeting regional needs with regional investment.
LOOKOUT FARM Added two additional acres to their market vegetable growing operation without the use of chemicals. Capital allowed them to transition alfalfa fields to vegetable production regeneratively using cover cropping. Funding also supported the implementation of precision farming techniques that minimize water usage and build soil health.
ITTY BITTY FARMS Itty Bitty Farms, located in Carey, Idaho, produces micro-greens and a variety of seasonal produce; they operate a farm store in a previously classified food desert. Impact Idaho Fund investment allowed them to install a retail freezer and erect additional covered growing spaces. Read the full Itty Bitty Farms impact story on page 10.
WILD SPACES FARM In 2021, our regional foodshed lost two small-scale dairy producers. This loss made locally produced milk and other dairy products hard to find. Recognizing this gap, Wild Spaces Farm was started in December 2021 to produce organic, raw dairy products for south and central Idaho. Investment from the Impact Idaho Fund helped Wild Spaces Farm to build infrastructure, purchase equipment, and secure the appropriate certifications for a small-scale dairy. We now have a new raw, organic dairy delivering products to the Wood River Valley regularly. 8
