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Calvin and Caria Hawkins, owners of Abundant Harvest Farm, are partners in marriage and in business. They have been farming as a business in Glen Saint Mary, Florida, since 2014. The 38-acre sustainable farm in rural north Florida grows organic vegetables, fruit and pecans. Calvin, a veteran, and Caria take their products from seed to sale.
“Wealth Watchers has gone the extra mile to make sure resources, tools and equipment are in place for our farm to be competitive and successful.”
The couple participated in a symposium offered by NeighborWorks network member Wealth Watchers, then enrolled in its Comprehensive Rural Opportunities Program (CROP)-an initiative that coordinates outreach, technical assistance and education to better reach rural farmers and ranchers in Florida and Georgia, particularly those who are socially disadvantaged (defined by the federal government as individuals subjected to racial, ethnic or cultural prejudice).
CROP provided the Hawkins with the resources they needed to take their farm to the next level. Thanks to a micro business loan, Abundant Harvest now has a seasonal high tunnel, affectionately known as a hoop house because of its design, which allows the farm to extend its growing season and thus increase earnings.
“Wealth Watchers has gone the extra mile to make sure resources, tools and equipment are in place for our farm to be competitive and successful,” says Caria Hawkins. “We wish we had been connected to Wealth Watchers in 2014.”
The Wealth Watchers team introduced Calvin and Caria to personal budgeting, credit counseling, mortgage assistance, small business finance and other programs specific to their needs. A review of the farm's organizational documents concluded that a custom micro loan was preferable versus a traditional small business loan. In addition to the loan and accompanying financial coaching, Wealth Watchers helped the Hawkins identify a contractor for the project, Boots on the Ground Construction. Led by a disabled veteran, the contractor provides construction training as well. With the hoop house, Abundant Harvest will be able to grow tomatoes year round.
“We'll be able to make a real go at growing sustainable, natural crops with the help of Wealth Watchers,” says Calvin.
