How We Work
We work with regenerative farmers who have successful, existing operations, established markets and the opportunity to grow and expand their business through long-term, secure land access.
Common Scenarios
Relocate an existing farm to a larger property, or to a farm with more secure land tenure
Expand a successful operation by acquiring nearby land
Transfer a farm to non-family or family successors
Conserve when land trusts look to partner with a like-minded organization, or keep already conserved land in active agricultural production
Transform a farm with infrastructure updates for the next generation’s efficiency
Reorganize or refinance a farm in the event of a change in the partnership or business
Partnerships
In the majority of our projects, we partner with other mission-aligned organizations to make land more affordable for farmers and provide technical assistance when needed.
Here are some ways in which we work with partners.
Land Trusts
Placing and maintaining conservation easements
Mission-Aligned Funders
Blended finance through grants, low-cost or market-rate loans, or joint venture structures
Renewable Energy Companies
Integrating solar and wind investments to provide on-farm power or additional non-farm income
Non-Profits
Sourcing and underwriting farmers, providing technical assistance
Consultants
Completing due diligence on multi-faceted projects, providing ongoing support to farmers
Example Project Types
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Dirt Capital purchases the property and provides a long-term lease that is customized to a farmer’s projected cash flow, with an embedded purchase option at a pre-agreed time and price.
Provides secure land access with no down payment required.
Payments can be seasonal and/or step-up gradually.
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Dirt Capital acquires vulnerable land that is prioritized for conservation by a community or environmental group. A customized lease makes the land affordable for the farmer to operate while Dirt Capital sells a permanent conservation easement to a land trust or state agency, reducing the purchase price for the farmer.
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A parcel of land with a mix of important agricultural soils and potential for other revenue is acquired by Dirt Capital and a farmer in shared ownership. Dirt Capital and the farmer proactively seek additional revenue opportunities (agritourism, community solar, limited development, conservation) benefiting the farmer’s affordability.
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In certain circumstances where other mission-aligned capital is available, Dirt Capital can collaborate with non-profits and/or foundations that provide grants and/or low-cost loans to enable affordable land access in an expensive location, high impact situation, or for farmers from communities historically excluded from land ownership.
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A farmer purchases an existing business and Dirt Capital provides financing for the real estate, facilitation of the business transfer, and overall coordination to provide a comprehensive arrangement for execution of the business transfer between parties or generations.
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For investments that qualify, Dirt Capital can provide amortizing mortgage debt for up to 100% loan-to-value.
