Dean Organic Fund – Funding for environmentally friendly farmers
Julia Trapp
posted on 27th June 2023
Funding for ‘environmentally friendly’ farmers
Are you an organic farmer? You could be offered up to £25,000 of interest-free loans to fund your investments in machinery and livestock.
The non-for-profit Dean Organic Fund presents an opportunity, dispensed by the Organic Research Centre (ORC). Funds are available to all farmers who farm organically or in ‘environmentally friendly ways’. The organisation urges farmers to apply to the fund. The loans from the DOF support small scale organic farmers, producers and food businesses. Loans can be used towards purchasing stock and equipment. Land purchases, however, may not be included in an application.
How much is available to me?
The available loans have ranged from £5,000 to £25,000 in the past, are completely interest-free. The loans are available to repay in instalments lasting up to 5 years.
What is the Dean Organic Fund?
The Dean Organic Fund is possible following a bequest of over £500,000 from Jennie Bone to the ORC. The idea was to support the conservation of farmed environments by presenting organic producers with interest-free loans that could help their business develop. The fund was launched in 2018. That year the ORC received a total of £260,000 in Round 1 applications. A plethora of businesses are supported. A variety of situations across the country, from the production of nano-dairy products to the expansion of crop production.
How has it helped others?
Orchard Organic Farm in South Devon applied to the Dean Organic Fund in 2018 and were successful in their application. The loan made two diversification projects possible, which they were struggling to complete due to lack of cash flow. As well as the diversification projects, the loan that Orchard Organic Farm received allowed a business development on their farm of timber glamping pods. ‘The Hen’s Dens’, which has blossomed into a successful business project ever since, made possible by the Dean Organic Fund.
The loan from the fund also presented an opportunity in the area of equipment and machinery, where the farm was able to purchase a Pelican planter. This has had a huge positive impact to their business, which continues to grow and develop. In other situations, the scheme has aided with processes such as conservation grazing enterprises, producing organic farm shop produce, and the development of a biodynamic vineyard.
If you are an organic farmer, or carry out ‘environmentally friendly’ farming, and would like to talk to our team about the Dean Organic Fund or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest office on:
Julia looks after all of our marketing communications, printed material, design, branding, publications, digital marketing and advertising. She has worked across a number of industries in marketing roles and outside of work, if usually found on a netball court or coaching from the side lines.
