MacFarlane Farm

MacFarlane Farm is a northern beef farm located in Desbarats, Ontario. In 2016, the farm began with 30 cattle and had grown into one of the largest cow-calf herds by numbers and acreage in Algoma. The farm focuses on sustainable farming and has a  long-term commitment and vision of creating a positive impact for the next generation. They aim to provide the community beef grown and raised in Algoma in an environmentally sustainable way.

Financing Need 

MacFarlane Farm received a loan from the Fair Finance Fund to build a new backgrounding barn. The barn will help raise their calves without shipping them to Southern Ontario. The barn will allow the farm to house the cattle and bunk feed them to ensure they have the proper ratios, rate of gain and overall quality. The barn will also help improve soil health, allowing the cattle to be housed indoors during the spring and fall, avoiding soil compaction. 

Impact of Project Over Loan Term 

• One new job created, and two jobs expanded 

• Four new regional suppliers supported

• Increase of $80,000 annually  in local food sales 

• Improved soil health 

• Reduced GHG emissions 

• Increase in community access to locally raised beef