The Impact Idaho Fund was formed to balance the urgency of action with the discipline of systems-learning; implementing a new investment model that disrupts and redirects traditional flows of capital toward building community resilience.
31,500 pounds of locally consumed food produced.
Nearly 40 acres of land cultivated using regenerative practices.
Promoted job creation & economic prosperity through $120,000 of committed investment dollars.
Protected water quality through expanded farming practices that reduce nutrient run-off into the nearby watersheds.
Avoided approximately 20,118 lbs. of carbon dioxide equivalents by selling produce locally through reduced transportation alone.
The Impact Idaho Fund Pilot is focused on investing in regional farm and agriculture enterprises and climate-smart land management projects that cross sectors and address environmental, economic and social resilience.
Since the Fund’s launch in January 2021, we have received 20 requests for funding from eight Idaho counties. The Impact Idaho Fund operates regionally because that scope allows us to deeply understand the interconnections and opportunities that will drive a stronger, climate-resilient future.
Current applicants are requesting over $530,000 in project financing. These are immediate opportunities to tackle climate change at a regional scale. Moving beyond the Pilot phase, we are seeing an acceleration in the number of entrepreneurs submitting applications. We need new donors and investors to respond to these opportunities.
The Pilot has shown that investment in regional food and agriculture businesses leads to direct resilience impact. The remaining Pilot funds will be distributed in the next few months. Moving forward, your powerful support will go directly to businesses that layer upon the impact of the initial grantees. New donor and investor dollars will fund projects that address areas such as further processing, regional distribution and local food access.
Ironwood Mycology is a sustainable mushroom farm, producing for the Wood River Valley.
Lookout Farm is a farm operation in Bellevue that specializes in seasonal vegetables and leafy greens.
Read MoreWild Spaces Farm is a grass-fed, organic, micro-dairy in Glenns Ferry that produces raw and minimally pasteurized products for southern Idaho communities.
Sustainable Meats is a multi-species meat processing facility in Kuna, Idaho. The facility is a subsidiary of American Ostrich Farms.
Sun Valley Institute for Resilience Funds Native's Ostrich FarmOctober 29, 2022
by Karen Bossick, Eye on Sun Valley
Farms of the Future
June 27, 2022
by Mike Gordon Sun Valley Magazine
Farms of the Future
June 27, 2022
by Mike Gordon Taste of Sun Valley
'Milk guy down the road': Farmer starts micro dairy in Glenns Ferry
February 2, 2022
by Hannah Ashton Magicvalley.com
Sun Valley Institute Helps Dairy Farmer Fill the Gap
January 27, 2022
by Karen Bossick Eye on Sun Valley
Farmer plans small-scale 'micro dairy'
January 17, 2022
by Brad Carlson Capital Press
Impact Idaho Fund to support local and regional farmers
December 30, 2020
by Tony Evans Idaho Mountain Express
We have strong relationships with local farmers and deep knowledge in the local and regional food system built through our Food & Farm program, the Local Food Alliance. We are deeply familiar with local investing and able to provide the technical assistance required to prepare borrowers for financing.
Impact Idaho Fund objectives are primarily aligned to UN Sustainable Development Goals 2 – Zero Hunger – and 11 – Sustainable Communities. In pursuit of more resilient, regionalized food and agriculture systems, the Impact Idaho Fund Pilot will also consider critical impacts on land, water and energy resources.
SVIR envisions a resilient community with a nourishing regional food system, a healthy environment and a vibrant and equitable economy. Through the Impact Idaho Fund, SVIR catalyzes capital for regional resilience projects that advance local food security.
This project has been supported by the taxpayers of Blaine County through the Land, Water & Wildlife Program.