Microloan Applications Open

2026 Microloans

Small farms and food businesses require significant investment in equipment, materials, labor, and more when starting or growing their operation. When they can't access capital easily, communities lose valuable local food production, and the businesses suffer. For the past decade, Crosshatch has been offering a solution to this common challenge with our microloan program.  

Crosshatch's microloan program, in partnership with Oryana Community Coop, offers zero-interest loans of $500 to $10,000. These loans have a significant impact on both local food production and the sustainability of our region's small farms.

We are now accepting applications for the 2026 microloans, offered in partnership with Oryana Community Co-op. These loans are available to farms and food businesses in the following counties: Antrim, Benzie, Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford counties. Applications are due February 17, 2026.  

Z&N Farm Produces Thousands of Pounds of Produce Thanks to $5,000 Microloan in 2024

We recently checked in with Nicole Mezeske at Z&N Farm about the impact of their 2024 microloan. She shared, "We are so grateful for the opportunity to be awarded this microloan. The microloan allowed us to purchase an extension kit and complete a 32’ x 96’ greenhouse in 2024—an investment that immediately expanded our capacity to feed our community near year-round.

In 2024, the first two harvests from this greenhouse provided over 100 pounds of fresh salad mix to area schools. From there, we served our neighborhood and farmers market with hundreds of additional pounds of greens. Once that harvest was complete, we transitioned the space to late-season tomatoes, producing several thousand pounds that went directly into our local food system. After tomatoes, we replanted the entire greenhouse back to salad greens, which helped supply our community through January! 

In 2025, we repeated this same intensive growing cycle, further strengthening our ability to provide consistent, fresh, locally grown food across seasons. This greenhouse has become a cornerstone of our farm’s resilience and community impact."