2025 Microloan Recipient - Garden Ridge Ranch

What is the Viroqua Food Co+op Microloan anyway? It's a $3,500 no-interest loan awarded to a local farmer or producer to help strengthen the co-ops local foodshed.

Garden Ridge Ranch is the recipient of this year’s VFC Microloan. Owned and operated by Darci and Justin Daniels, along with their four young children, Garden Ridge Ranch is a family-run farm committed to raising grass-fed beef, pastured pork, and certified organic strawberries.

The Daniels family is passionate about their mission: to build soil, connect the community to their food, grow the local economy, and raise their children within a thriving farm business. Their dedication to sustainable farming and community connection makes them a perfect fit for this year’s award.

The $3,500 microloan will support the renovation of their third certified organic greenhouse, which will increase strawberry production. This expansion will boost their capacity to meet local demand for fresh organic strawberries from August through mid-November which extends the season for one of our community's favorite fruits.

By increasing both production and revenue, this project helps strengthen a local small family farm and reinforces our shared values of sustainability, community resilience, and local food access.

Congratulations to Garden Ridge Ranch, and thank you for extending the local growing season for fresh, delicious organic strawberries.