Invest in Good. Local. Food.

AFI News: August 2018

Thursday, September 13, 8:30AM - 1:00PM Home Sweet Farm 307 S Park St, Brenham, TX 77833 This September, Join AFI in Brenham, TX to continue our Rolling Roadshow! Come learn everything you wanted to know about finance but were to afraid to ask. These events are intended for food entrepreneurs, farmers, ranchers, food advocates, or folks just interested in what we do. We'll be joined by the good folks at National Center for Appropriate Technology and Capital Farm Credit . Hosted by Home Sweet Farm Sponsored by Texas Center for Local Foods Free registration here

AFI Portfolio Company News

Eden's Organic Garden Center recently raised their greenhouse tunnel. This was in partnership with AFI's EQIP Bridge Loan program . Check out the time-lapse they put together! See the video here As it turns out, Fortune Magazine has great taste! They selected AFI Portfolio Company, Hops and Grain , Mosaic Pale Ale as one of the top 9 best IPA's in the country. Happens to be our favorite, too. Full story here

Texas Country Reporter does a great story on Cat Spring Yaupon Tea . Learn about the whole production process and why founders Abianne Falla and JennaDee Detro do what they do. See the video here

Texas Local Foods In The News

In Memory of Larry Butler, Farmer Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA) is sponsoring a fund to help beginning farmers attend conferences in honor of the late Larry Butler of Boggy Creek Farms in Austin. Please consider supporting this. We'll miss you, Larry. Donate here

How a New Generation is Reviving Small-Town Texas Friends of AFI, Brad and Jenny Stufflebeam of Home Sweet Farm , are profiled at length in this August 2018 Texas Monthly article on Texas rural revival. Check it out here

Everything's Bigger in Texas - Except its Support for Small Farmers Judith McGeary, Executive Director of Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance (FARFA) , is featured in this fantastic article by Civil Eats. Really, this is a must-read for anyone interested in local foods or small business economic development in Texas. Full article here

What the Heck is a Pickle? Apparently, this is a question we need to ask ourselves. New Food Economy highlights Texas Department of Agriculture's interpretation of what a 'pickle' is legally, and how this effects family farmers in Texas Find out what the dill is here (sorry, had to)

Texas Local Food Events

AFI Talks - Small Producers Conference Texas State University Small Producers Conference Monday, August 13 8:30AM - 10:00AM 601 University Drive San Marcos, Texas 78666   More info here.

Minority Landowner Workshop September 5 & 6 , 9:00AM - 3:30PM Waco, TX Sponsored by Minority Landowner Magazine , USDA, and NRCS. U.S. Department of Agriculture representatives and their partners will share information to help improve your farm, whether large or small. Experts will be available for cost share and financial assistance programs; conservation programs and easements; farm loan programs; organic farming and pollinators; soil health; agricultural marketing; vegetable and truck crop production; pest management; cattle and hay operations; high tunnels (hoop houses); erosion control; irrigation systems; rotational grazing; fencing and more. More information here Register today by contacting Todnechia Mitchell - (254) 697-4949 –x101 or  todnechia.mitchell@tx.usda.gov

SAVE THE DATE: Austin Fermentation Festival 2018 Sunday, October 21 11:00AM - 4:00PM Austin Central Library 710 W Cesar Chavez st. Austin, TX 78701 The Austin Fermentation Festival is a free educational event that celebrates all things fermented in Central Texas. Proceeds from this event will benefit the  Texas Farmers’ Market Farmer Emergency Fund , which offers financial assistance to TFM farmers and ranchers in times of environmental, personal or other crisis. - 13 workshops focused on fermented foods and beverages - Fermented foods and products market - Dishes from local chefs and vendors that feature fermented ingredients - Wine, beer, cider & other tasty fermented drinks - Live music - Silent Auction featuring prizes from amazing local businesses - Culture Swap Free registration here

Produce Safety Training Workshop for FSMA Compliance Monday, September 24th, 8:00AM - 5:00PM Sustainable Food Center 2921 E 17th St. Austin, TX 78702 New regulations are making it imperative that good food safety practices become a part of farmers daily lives. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) brings additional responsibilities to most fruit and vegetable growers. This course will provide the information needed to help growers navigate the new FSMA Produce Rule regulations, including available exemptions. Participants completing the entire 7 module course and documentation will receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials. Take-home material will include a Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training resource manual. Registration includes lunch. $20 TOFGA Members; $25 non-TOFGA Members Register here

In Other News...

Why Money is the Fastest Way to Kill Your Startup Allego CEO Yuchun Lee opines on the role of money in business and how to make the biggest impact with the capital startups raise. Lee's tip: only raise what you really need, and keep your scope hyper focused. Sounds a little like AFI's Bootstrap+ Model ... Full article here

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Thanks Again... ... for all you do to support business with purpose, local food, and impact investing! All the best, Curt, Eric, Jarred, & Evan Austin Foodshed Investors

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DISCLAIMER: Local Impact Investors LLC, dba Austin Foodshed Investors, is not a venture fund, investment bank, broker dealer, investment clearing-house, investment club, or investment advisor, but rather a forum in which investors and companies may be educated on aspects of investment and business, as well as introduced to each other for possible investment. We are not registered with the Securities Exchange Commission, any self-regulatory organization or any state securities commission. We do not recommend or make any representation or warranty regarding any particular company or financial product for investment. All investments in entrepreneurial companies involve a high degree of risk, investors must be able to bear the risk of complete financial loss. All AFI Investors, at the time of transaction close, must be Accredited Investors within the meaning of SEC Rule 17 CFR §501(a).  Securities transactions requiring intermediaries are offered by under Rule 506(c) of the JOBS Act of 2012, per 17 CFR §230.506(c). Users of this website, as well as companies applying for potential fundraising assistance, consent to agree to our  Terms of Use  and  Privacy Policy .