Wednesday, January 25, 2017

FarmStart - Justin and Rachel Sauerwein


Justin and Rachel Sauerwein are a FarmStart investment with Yankee Farm Credit. The Sauerweins will be using their FarmStart investment to purchase feeder calves for their beef farming operation Almanack Farm in Chelsea, VT.

Justin is a graduate of the University of Illinois and is the farm’s primary manager. Rachel, Justin’s wife, is a graduate of the University of Chicago and provides secondary management along with managing the farm’s financial records and web based marketing. The Sauerweins raise grass fed beef on the beautiful rolling hills of their 70 acre farm. Currently their herd consists of nine animals but should grow to roughly twenty by the end of the year. Their animals are processed locally and distributed through a local wholesaler to various inns and restaurants throughout Central Vermont. The Sauerweins use this sales and distribution method to regulate their sales volume but are hoping to better utilize their farm’s website as their capacity increases. Yankee is excited to partner with Justin and Rachel as they build their herd and expand their capacity to meet the growing demand for locally produced grass fed beef throughout the association’s territory.

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 careers. Within five years recipients should be able to graduate to a conventional line of credit from Yankee or another lender.