Financing the farm. Michael Lewis makes the case that the dominant model for financing farm succession isn't feasible going forward. The alternative, Social Enterprise, requires broadening the stakeholders who invest in agriculture and food. Sangudo, Alberta, is a case study of citizen cooperation and investment in their community businesses. The issue of succession of aging owners of small businesses in Sangudo was part of the town's viability challenge. Michael provides a series of examples of how new financing models can work to revitalize local businesses (including farms) and communities.
Michael Lewis is Executive Director, Canadian Centre for Community Renewal and co-author of The Resilience Imperative. His presentation was part of the Food Secure Canada Assembly, Nov. 2012 at NAIT, Edmonton, Alberta.
