Owned and operated by Kegan Hilaire, Blackbird Farms started as a quarantine dream in 2020. After years spent exploring the food industry, from working as the sales manager of a local dairy farm selling cheese and yogurt to farming on a diversified animal and vegetable operation, Kegan made his way to the Rodale Institute Farmer Training (RIFT) program. After graduating, he scaled up the operation he had going in his parents back yard and began renting land at an incubator farm. Blackbird now offers over 75 varieties of certified organic produce to their CSA, farmers market, and wholesale customers. They also offer solidarity shares to low-income folks who may not otherwise be able to participate in a traditional CSA. Blackbird has expanded their offerings to include various on-farm events centered around community, food, and farming. “Overall, Blackbird hopes to serve as a place to bring people together using the power of food and shared experience of eating” Kegan says. Blackbird’s Foodshed Capital bridge loan will support their Farm Vitality business planning work with KTC to build out a business plan for future land acquisition.