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Midwest Farmers of Color Collective (MFCC) Radical Resource & Land Fund is thrilled to share our first 10 investments in our farmers, in partnership with Potlikker Capital. The Radical Resource & Land Fund (RRLF) is an integrated capital fund (loans and grants) by and for farmers. |
Elizabeth Montecinos of Santa Rosa Farm grows Mexican marigolds known as cempasúchil, or Day of the Dead flower, which she and her daughter, Rose, acclimatized to Minnesota over a series of years. |
Makoons Growers Cooperative members, Tayamni GoodShield (left) and PennElys Droz (right) Photo Credits: Corrina Wainwright |
Over the course of 2025, the RRLF farmer led Investment Circle reviewed 37 amazing applications from our network and selected 10 for investment. It was an intensive, values driven process that unfolded from April through October and spanned hundreds of hours across application review, site visits, relationship building with selected farmers, and finalizing shared investment agreements.
10 farmers were funded for a variety of projects to expand and stabilize their operations. The list below is shared in no particular order and does not indicate funding levels. Links to learn more are included at the request of farmers.
The loan and grant to Diaspora Gardens (WI) will fund labor, lodging construction and the refinance of existing debt. These critical investments will support Diaspora’s ongoing sustainability and longevity as a land based healing and education resource on Mooningwaanekaaning, Madeline Island, WI.
Diaspora Gardens Seed Starter Campaign
The loan and grant to Makoons Growers Cooperative (WI) will support the buildout of an Indigenous-led community kitchen for the cooperative producers located in and around Mooningwaanekaaning, Madeline Island, WI.
The loan and grant to Callejas Hernandez Farm (MN) will fund barn buildout for a sustainable sheep and lamb operation.
The loan and grant to Bold North (MN) will support the buildout of the first Black owned cannabis dispensary in Minnesota, including off-site cannabis cultivation sites to strengthen the supply chain.
The loan and grant to Santa Rosa Farm (WI) will fund barn buildout for a sustainable vegetable, hay and livestock operation.
These investments represent MFCC’s commitment to empower Black, Indigenous, immigrant and farmers of color to grow operations, increase economic resilience, and create sustainable and community-driven food and agricultural systems. In addition to these financial investments, farmers received and will continue to receive free technical and legal assistance to support their continued growth and development.
Thank you to #NoRegrets Initiative and Potlikker Capital for investing in the RRLF pilot round!
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In the spirit of transparency and accountability, Midwest Farmers of Color Collective has contracted with a third party evaluation consultant to better understand how our investments are creating impact and what that impact is. Additionally, we are curious to learn what about our process is working and what needs to change in future RRLF rounds. Stay tuned for our upcoming Impact Report!
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