Ben Haigh and Hilary Hammond are a recent FarmStart investment for Yankee. Ben and Hilary operate a diversified farm in Shoreham, VT, and will be using the FarmStart funds to purchase haying equipment.
Ben and Hilary, both 26, are a married couple with diverse
backgrounds in agriculture. Ben, a graduate of Paul Smith’s College with a
degree in Ecological Forest Management, has worked as an independent forester,
consultant, digital mapmaker, and sawmill operator. He also works part-time on
his uncle’s 200 cow dairy farm. Hilary, who holds a degree in Animal Science
from The University of Vermont, is a certified butcher and meat cutter, and
also has experience working on both dairy and diversified farms.
In 2014, Ben and Hilary started Rolling Bale Farm, Inc, a
diversified produce and animal farm in Shoreham. They grow hay and strawberries,
and raise beef cows, poultry, and lamb. They sell various cuts of meat, pelts,
and value-added products like baked goods and salad greens on location at the farm and at the Middlebury
Farmers Market. They also have plans to do
a CSA in the near future. To learn more about Rolling Bale Farm, visit their
website at www.rollingbalefarm.com.
Loan officer Kyle Lussier out of Yankee’s Middlebury office worked
with Ben and Hilary during the FarmStart application process, and he will serve
as their FarmStart advisor during their time in the program. Yankee is excited
to work with these two motivated and creative farmers!
The goal of
FarmStart is to provide working capital to help start-up farmers establish a
positive business and credit history during the early phases of their business
careers. Within five years recipients should be positioned to graduate to a
conventional line of credit from Yankee or another lender.
To learn more about FarmStart please visit our website or contact your local office.
To learn more about FarmStart please visit our website or contact your local office.
