The Hudson Valley Farm Coop Committee is recruiting new members. This is an exciting project and you will be joining a diverse team creating positive change in our food and farming systems. Committee members receive Park Slope Food Coop shift credits for their work. Agricultural business experience is not required to join.
The Hudson Valley Farm Coop (HVFC) is a proposed venture that will acquire, improve and operate 15 farms in the Mid-Hudson Valley for the benefit of its shareholders and the wider community. The start-up budget for this project is $30 million. The Farm Coop will raise funds through a unique financial mechanism called a Direct Public Offering. The HVFC will provide its members the rare opportunity to own a stake in socially progressive and ecologically regenerative farms. Their investments will help to re-create, sustain, and protect this wonderful corner of our threatened and critical agricultural region.
Our immediate needs are in four broad areas:
• First, we are looking for experienced attorneys, business administration and finance professionals. The tasks at hand include refining the business plan, preparing our financial model and pro forma statements, establishing the cooperative corporation and structuring the direct public offering.
• Second, are professional planners and geographers to round out our design team.
• Third, are seasoned marketing professionals to help sharpen our presentations to attract project cosponsors in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, and eventually individual Farm Coop shareholders.
• Fourth, community organizers to explore the potential for a unionized workforce and to build partnerships with others, including social justice, local agriculture and rural revitalization organizations.
The Park Slope Food Coop voted at the April 2021 General Meeting to become the original sponsor of this new and separate cooperative business. PSFC members interested in joining the committee may contact Jonathan Farber for more information at info@hvfarmcoop.com.