Our very first loan in Arkansas!

Blooming Hope Mushrooms is a brand new specialty mushroom farm run by Luz Bautista Pacheco and Rodrigo Menocal, both recent graduates of the Rodale Institute Farmer Training (RIFT) program.

Although Foodshed Capital typically supports existing businesses, we have partnered with Rodale to provide capital to emerging regenerative farmers who complete their comprehensive program of practical skills training and business development.

Through an additional six months of training at Pennsylvania's Pocono Organics, Luz and Rodrigo became particularly interested in mushroom production. They left with the skills and inspiration to launch their own mushroom business back at home in northwest Arkansas, where there is currently only one other grower in operation and a massive market demand.

A 0% interest loan from FoodCap will allow Blooming Hope to purchase a substrate steamer, flow hood, grow lights, and other start-up equipment to kick off their business right.