I’m typing away in local haunt, The Barn Coffee & Social Club. You may not know that The Barn’s evolution to a much-loved community hub was supported by a unique Nova Scotian organization, FarmWorks, whose mission is to increase our access to local sustainable food supply.
With growing concerns about food sovereignty in Nova Scotia, initiatives like FarmWorks are vital in ensuring a sustainable and resilient regional food system. However, what stands out to me most is their deep connection to the community.
FarmWorks is a Community Economic Development Investment fund (CEDIF). Each year, FarmWorks opens a fund and invites individuals to invest. Once the fund is closed the monies raised are used to provide loans to select businesses in the food chain. Local food-based businesses can apply for low-interest loans, and FarmWorks conducts due diligence to ensure each investment is sound before distributing funds.
It provides ‘A direct, ethical and impactful opportunity for individuals looking to support their local community’, shared Helene Branch, a Board Member with FarmWorks, directly connecting consumers to local food. While Mike Bishop of The Barn said ‘Their impact is vastly underrated having been one of the only organizations to support entrepreneurial small producers, and yielding substantial real returns for Nova Scotia food production.’
There are both financial and feel-good returns for investors. Financially, it’s a stable investment—your principal remains intact and can be withdrawn after a five-year minimum period, offering peace of mind while supporting local businesses. Investors also benefit from tax credits when maintaining their investment over those five years.
And then there are the feel-good returns of knowing you’re supporting the longevity of our local food chain, helping local families thrive, and strengthening the local economy. Amy Funk of the Shore Lunch Food Truck said, ‘I am very proud to be backed by a co-operative that uses community investment to build up local food businesses and help us feed Nova Scotians with our own local ingredients.’
Managing Director Linda Best noted that FarmWorks is ‘part of the solution, not the solution’ to food security, and strong rural infrastructure in Nova Scotia. Linda noted that we need to produce more food locally to be self-sufficient in times of crisis, but also so that our many rural neighbourhoods can thrive.
FarmWorks’ role is to bring us together to do this. One way we can contribute to this vision is by supporting local businesses, such as Sunnybrook Mill Market. One of over ten local ventures to have received FarmWorks financial support in Lunenburg County. By intentionally supporting local food producers and vendors whenever possible, we strengthen our rural community.
Krispi Kraut is a family-run business producing traditional sauerkraut here in the county. The Rhodenizers said ‘FarmWorks has been such an encouragement to us. They saw our purpose and the quality food we offered to our local community and stepped in to help. I can’t express our appreciation for the hand up, and the open desire to see our farm and family succeed.’
As a relative newbie to the area, I quickly understood community to be a core value of Lunenburg County, and FarmWorks with its member network not only strengthens our local food system but also fosters deeper community connections.
By choosing to invest in or support these businesses, we help build a thriving rural economy – one rooted in sustainability and local collaboration.
For more information on FarmWorks and the CEDIF visit their website. If an investment isn’t for you but you’d still like to support the local food chain, you can donate to Friends of Agriculture Nova Scotia. An aligned organization providing grants to organizations that support school gardens and food security initiatives.
Based in Lunenburg, Emma Davies writes about the people and businesses that make communities vibrant. They are passionate about sharing stories that celebrate mindful leadership and sustainability.
