Join Johanna Mercedes, Loan Officer & Social Finance Coordinator, for Growing your farm business, a one‑hour session dedicated to helping local food leaders access financing and mentorship opportunities.
Get the scoop on funding and find mentors to help your local farm business grow strong and steady.
Capital is the fuel for growth, but mentorship is the roadmap. Following our look into farm business foundations with Inclusive Prosperity, the FRED Marketplace is excited to host the Fair Finance Fund for a deep dive into the holistic support available for Ontario’s food and farm sector.
Sustainable growth requires more than just a bank account—it requires a partner who understands the soil, the seasons, and the social impact of local food. Join us to learn how the Fair Finance Fund combines flexible financing with professional mentorship to help local food leaders thrive.
What We’ll Explore:
● Growth Capital: Tailored loan options designed for the specific needs of farm and food businesses.
● The Power of Mentorship: How the Fund connects borrowers with expert advisors to navigate business hurdles.
● Impact-First Financing: Why being a “Local Food Leader” makes you a prime candidate for social finance.
● Scaling Responsibly: Insights into using capital to build long-term resilience, not just short-term cash flow.
Meet Our Guest Speaker: Johanna Mercedes
Johanna (“yo-ha-nah”) Mercedes is an impact-driven entrepreneur working at the intersection of community development, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth, with a focus on long-term, intergenerational impact. Her experience spans northern value chain coordination, remote community capacity building, and business technical assistance for BIPOC youth. In her role as a loan officer, she supports entrepreneurs and enterprises in accessing the resources and capital needed to start, grow, and build resilient businesses within the local food and farm sector. She holds a degree in Environment & Business, with a focus on integrating environmental and social impact metrics with financial performance. Johanna Mercedes is also the author of the children’s book Goodnight Moonlight.
Who Should Attend?
● Farm Entrepreneurs ready to invest in new equipment, land, or infrastructure.
● Food Brand Founders looking to scale their processing or distribution.
● Community Leaders interested in how social finance strengthens local economies.
● Past Participants of our “Passion to Profit” session who are now ready for the “Financing” phase.
Learn how to secure funding, build partnerships, and scale your impact in the local food ecosystem.
📅 May 28, 2026
⏰ 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EDT
💻 Online Event
