“The farm was not in good repair,” says Ben Flinchum. “My grandfather had been doing most of it on his own in his 80s.” Ben tells stories of young cows swimming the creek to get out and his making rounds to neighbors’ properties to pick up the escaped cattle.
Fencing became a priority, but Ben didn’t have the ability to pay for those repairs upfront. “One of the biggest problems with being young and getting into agriculture is getting enough money to do all the improvements,” Ben says. “If I could only afford to do half [the fencing], they’re still going to get out on the other part.”
That’s where Total Action for Press (TAP) community action came in. To keep the farm going and make necessary repairs, Ben secured a $100,000, five-year, low-interest loan from TAP’s Business Seed program. He fixed the fencing, and bought new hay equipment and more cows.
Ben also built a safe space to vaccinate and tag cattle. Regular soil testing and treatment made possible with Business Seed funds are helping to reinvigorate the farm for future prosperity.
TAP created Business Seed Capital, Inc. in 1998. Its primary service is to furnish microenterprise loans to businesses that don’t meet traditional bank loan requirements.
Curtis Thompson, TAP’s vice president of financial services and director of Business Seed Capital, Inc., explains, “This loan fund and at least five additional loan pools are all designated for business growth. It’s all under the financial services umbrella, which is just another resource that TAP has to give individuals and families another opportunity for economic advancement.”
Ben divides his time between Cold Creek Saw Mill & Forestry in New Castle and the farm. He owns both businesses. The sawmill offers direct-to-consumer rough-cut lumber used mostly for barns and fences. The farm sells beef to individuals, calves to farmers, and hay to horse owners.
“One thing that we hear a lot in agricultural circles is that young folks aren’t interested in farming anymore,” says Ben. “Statistics show the average age of farmers going up. One thing I’d like to say to that is there are a lot of young folks interested in agriculture, but they don’t come from a farming background. It’s an incredibly daunting task to [start a farm].”
Ben states that TAP’s Business Seed program provides a good resource for others who are interested in farming. In his case, TAP is helping him continue his family’s legacy.
The infusion of cash has enabled Ben to make the property safer for him and his livestock while allowing him to set up processes for future sustainability.
“There’s a song I like to reference by George Strait called ‘The Road Less Traveled,’” says Ben. “It’s about when you go against the grain and dare to dream.
Agriculture is all about dreaming and taking risks. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. I think it’s very important to recognize the strength and determination agricultural folks possess. Agriculture is the strength our country was built on.”
Fencing became a priority, but Ben didn’t have the ability to pay for those repairs upfront. “One of the biggest problems with being young and getting into agriculture is getting enough money to do all the improvements,” Ben says. “If I could only afford to do half [the fencing], they’re still going to get out on the other part.”
That’s where Total Action for Press (TAP) community action came in. To keep the farm going and make necessary repairs, Ben secured a $100,000, five-year, low-interest loan from TAP’s Business Seed program. He fixed the fencing, and bought new hay equipment and more cows.
Ben also built a safe space to vaccinate and tag cattle. Regular soil testing and treatment made possible with Business Seed funds are helping to reinvigorate the farm for future prosperity.
TAP created Business Seed Capital, Inc. in 1998. Its primary service is to furnish microenterprise loans to businesses that don’t meet traditional bank loan requirements.
Curtis Thompson, TAP’s vice president of financial services and director of Business Seed Capital, Inc., explains, “This loan fund and at least five additional loan pools are all designated for business growth. It’s all under the financial services umbrella, which is just another resource that TAP has to give individuals and families another opportunity for economic advancement.”
Ben divides his time between Cold Creek Saw Mill & Forestry in New Castle and the farm. He owns both businesses. The sawmill offers direct-to-consumer rough-cut lumber used mostly for barns and fences. The farm sells beef to individuals, calves to farmers, and hay to horse owners.
“One thing that we hear a lot in agricultural circles is that young folks aren’t interested in farming anymore,” says Ben. “Statistics show the average age of farmers going up. One thing I’d like to say to that is there are a lot of young folks interested in agriculture, but they don’t come from a farming background. It’s an incredibly daunting task to [start a farm].”
Ben states that TAP’s Business Seed program provides a good resource for others who are interested in farming. In his case, TAP is helping him continue his family’s legacy.
The infusion of cash has enabled Ben to make the property safer for him and his livestock while allowing him to set up processes for future sustainability.
“There’s a song I like to reference by George Strait called ‘The Road Less Traveled,’” says Ben. “It’s about when you go against the grain and dare to dream.
Agriculture is all about dreaming and taking risks. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. I think it’s very important to recognize the strength and determination agricultural folks possess. Agriculture is the strength our country was built on.”