A group of investors, led by Spartanburg’s Rick Beltram, has gone to the Dominican Republic with $70,000 to help farmers set up their own business to sell crops to the U.S.
“The objective is to provide funding to initiate small family farms in a relatively poor nation,” said Beltram. “The local folks will own the projects and will reimburse the funders, over time, based on crop sales.”
The first project involves the purchase of 8 acres to set up a farm in San Juan De La Maguana, Rick Beltram said. The soil will be prepared for planting, and 1,000 avocado trees are to be planted in April, he said.
The project is also being funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the International Executive Service Corps, he said.
"The group is not doing the projects for profit, but effecting the Christian ideal of assisting in need," Beltram said. "All revenue, less mortgage payments, will stay with the Dominican farmers. As the money flow from the grower begins, the group will similarly assist other families that have the inspiration of being a business owner."
source: goupstate.com
