Amy & Kenny Clem are new farmers in the Cawood community of Harlan County who began farming about two years ago. They own 23-acres in the Cawood community of Harlan County. Of the tract, about 17-acres are farmable. It is the former farm of Cawood Ledford, the University of Kentucky announcer. During their first year of operation, the Clem’s began with cattle and now have five cows with two expecting. Their plan is to continue to add cattle as well as begin a gardening operation. With the proceeds of the $7,500 SOAR Farm Loan, the Clems are purchasing a tractor/loader combination. KHIC also lent the Clems $10,000 to complete the financing.
The SOAR Small Production Loan Fund is a low-interest financing resource designed to assist small producers grow healthy, nutritional foods so that they can move into commercial production. The goal is to support and educate growers to develop a strong local food system in eastern and southern Kentucky that will be market-supported and result in a profit for the growers.
