One of the biggest challenges for urban producers is not being able to secure financial support like loans from banks.

Tyrean Lewis with Heru Urban Farming in St. Louis tells Brownfield very few urban farms are funded through lenders because local banks do not have ag loan officers.

“For most of the urban farmers I talk to, their funds come from grants, accelerators, or private donors but not particularly from bank lenders.”

Quilen Blackwell with Southside Blooms in Chicago says it comes down to a lack of familiarity.

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