{"data":{"type":"company_profile","id":69388,"entity_id":"wefunder:company:69388","attributes":{"canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/bay.area.ranchers","generated_at":"2026-06-06T04:53:07Z","updated_at":"2026-06-05T05:00:22Z","entity_ids":{"company":"wefunder:company:69388","slug":"wefunder:company_slug:bay.area.ranchers"},"profile_visibility":{"owner_published":true,"public_search_results":true,"site_search_listed":true,"privacy_mode":"promote","invite_only":false},"provenance":{"source":"wefunder_public_company_profile","as_of":"2026-06-06T04:53:07Z","claims":{"total_amount_raised":{"source":"FrontCompanySummary#amount_raised","last_verified_at":"2026-06-05T05:00:22Z","as_of":"2026-06-06T04:53:07Z","confidence":"high"},"total_investors":{"source":"FrontCompanySummary#number_of_investors","last_verified_at":"2026-06-05T05:00:22Z","as_of":"2026-06-06T04:53:07Z","confidence":"high"},"active_raise_states":{"source":"Fundraise.visible(nil, nil)","last_verified_at":"2025-02-06T01:17:55Z","as_of":"2026-06-06T04:53:07Z","confidence":"high"},"latest_fundraise_state":{"source":"Fundraise.visible(nil, nil).order(funding_started_at)","last_verified_at":"2025-02-06T01:17:55Z","as_of":"2026-06-06T04:53:07Z","confidence":"medium"}}},"company":{"id":69388,"entity_id":"wefunder:company:69388","slug":"bay.area.ranchers","name":"Bay Area Ranchers' Cooperative","tagline":"Responsible Meat Processing — By Ranchers, For Ranchers ","elevator_pitch":"We are establishing a meat-processing plant using a USDA-approved Mobile Harvest Unit. We will provide USDA-inspected processing of cattle, sheep, goats and hogs for ranchers throughout the region so they can then sell the meat under their own brands and build their ranch businesses. These small family ranches are typically not well-served by larger harvest facilities.","story":"We are a group of forward-thinking, entrepreneurial ranchers who have built independent ranching businesses, our own brands, and our own customer-bases. We share a commitment to humane husbandry that treats our animals with dignity and respect, to regenerative practices that sustain our land, and to serving our Bay Area community by providing responsibly-raised local meat. We are inviting you to invest in our venture, a recently-formed rancher-owned agricultural cooperative to create a much-needed local harvest option for our animals, in keeping with our values and those of our community.🚛\u0026nbsp;We were\u0026nbsp;forced to truck our livestock to harvest facilities 150 to 250 miles away.For all of us, one of the most difficult aspects of our business is finding affordable harvest and processing options for our livestock that are in keeping with our values of environmental sustainability, animal welfare and fair labor practices. When the only facility in the Bay Area closed its doors to private-label clients in January, we all were forced to truck our livestock to harvest facilities 150 to 250 miles away, some of us making round trips of more than 500 miles every other week. This was unsustainable for our businesses, and the stress on the animals of the long trip, as well as the environmental impacts of all that travel, were unacceptable to us. 🗒\u0026nbsp;Taking control of processingA group of us began discussing in January how we could take control of the processing element which is so essential to our businesses. Among us we not only have many years of experience running successful ranching businesses, but many of us have had careers in business outside ranching and bring all those skills to the table. By June we had done extensive market analysis and created a business model based on the operation of a mobile harvest unit (MHU). At a meeting for the local ranching community in late June, 16 ranchers signed up as founding members of our co-op and elected a board of directors. We incorporated as a California agricultural cooperative on July 28. 🙏 90% percent of the respondents said they would use us\u0026nbsp;As part of our market analysis, we surveyed 96 ranchers in Northern California who direct-market meat under their own labels and need USDA-inspected harvest services, and found that they collectively harvest more than 10,000 head of livestock or 6200 beef-equivalents (BE) every year. This number is twice the maximum capacity of our MHU, operating five days per week, 52 weeks per year. Ninety percent of the respondents said they would use our MHU. More than 60% of these ranchers were less than 50 miles from the proposed location for our facility. Details of our market survey: 90% of respondents say that they would use the MHU. Of the 4% that would not use the MHU, 80% cite the closure of their business as the reason. Reasons cited by potential customers for using the mobile unit: 65% of respondents said excessive distance to their current processor is their main reason for coming to the MHU. Shorter distances mean - Smaller carbon footprint. Most ranchers are sending animals a hundred plus miles one way to be harvested just so they can market product within fifty miles of where it was raised. Less stress on the animals. Less stress on the rancher 35% of respondents like the fact that it is a multi-species facility. Price was the deciding factor for only 2% of respondents, while 27% were fine with the possibility that BAR-C\u0026nbsp;harvest services might cost more. 1. For our market analysis, we reached out to all 96 ranchers and managed to speak with 48 of them. The annual estimate of livestock to be harvested (10,052) was achieved through statistical analysis using known data and additional factors to arrive at a number representing the entire private‐label potential. Thanks go to Dr. Normand St‐Pierre, Director of Research \u0026amp; Technical Studies at Perdue Agribusiness for his statistical counsel. 2. Based solely on the numbers from the 48 ranches who answered our questions ‐ making no allowance for the animals represented by all the ranches that couldn’t be reached ‐ the annual number is 4000 BE or 1.2 times the capacity of the mobile harvest unit.\u0026nbsp;🍂 Seasonality\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Our market analysis also addressed the issue of seasonality. This is key because other MHUs have struggled to remain “full” at all times of year due to weather and regional patters of livestock management. Success for this unit would require confidence that the maximum daily throughput can be maintained year-round. Ranches interviewed provided the total annual numbers to harvest of each species and the timing of those harvests throughout the year. Analysis of these results showed an overall average of 96% of maximum capacity, with no month dropping below 84% and only two months below 92% capacity.It’s noteworthy that the 38 ranches on which this analysis was based represent only 54% of the animals revealed in the market survey. If the full estimated marketplace is taken into account (2x annual capacity) as well as the potential that ranches in the region will *grow* as a result of the confidence that they can consistently, reliably access slaughter services, there is every reason to expect that each week will find the unit operating at full capacity with an additional waiting list. 🌳 CompetitionThere is no other USDA-inspected multi-species harvest option in the Bay Area. This MHU will operate from a centrally located site in Sonoma county, providing a private-label harvest for all species of livestock less than 50 miles from the majority of surveyed producers. The logistical and administrative savings to each ranch will change their viability and quality of life significantly for the better. 🥩 Communities served 57% of the ranches surveyed are located in either Sonoma or Marin counties, and more than 60% of the animals come from the two counties. Additional counties anticipated to feed into the enterprise include Mendocino, Yolo, Napa, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Solano, and Nevada Counties. ✍️ OwnershipSmall-scale animal harvest under USDA inspection requires a highly-skilled, dedicated team. Staff turnover, high labor costs, and a business model that turns on narrow margins can sometimes lead processors to make decisions that are decoupled from the needs of their rancher customers. However, the dearth of options available to ranchers has left them vulnerable to the whims of the processor. The decision to establish this mobile harvest operation as a producer-owned agricultural co-op under California statute will ensure that the needs of the ranching community are always prioritized. Producer-members elect a board of directors from among their ranks to hire and guide the staff. The staff will conduct daily operations and make most operational decisions to maintain the level of service, quality, and financial success required. The board shapes the bylaws which govern the cooperative as a whole. The entire body of producer-members will participate in an annual meeting where they will receive updates on the business and vote on major decisions. In this way, and through the accountability of the elected board to the membership, the producers themselves have ultimate authority over the business and cannot be arbitrarily shut out or placed at the mercy of a sole entrepreneur. 🙏 StaffThe efficient delivery of quality, USDA-compliant harvest services requires a skilled workforce, and retention of employees will be essential for success. Rates of compensation built into the financial models exceed Sonoma county averages for similar work. In other words, this business functions even under the assumption that workers will need to be paid well above the market rate. Additionally, we plan to offer health benefits and paid leave.Even with the competitiveness of the compensation, however, turnover is inevitable. Over the long term, relationships with local workforce development programs and educational meat processors like the UC Davis Meat Laboratory and the CalPoly San Luis Obispo, CSU Chico, and CSU Fresno Meat Processing Centers will facilitate a reliable pipeline of skilled staff into the operation.💰 Financial informationCase studies of efforts in other regions have shown that when an MHU fails, the enterprise typically falters due to either insufficient throughput to keep the business operating at full capacity, or inefficiencies of scale that lead to a cost/revenue imbalance that ultimately compromises the business. In the case of the proposed enterprise, the marketing and financial analyses demonstrate that both of these challenges can be successfully met. Estimated market potential exceeds the annual capacity of the unit by 20-100% and is well distributed across the cycle of seasons. This means that equipment and staff will not sit idle. To combat any cost/revenue imbalance, the pricing for services has been structured to reflect a comprehensive accounting of inputs. This pricing structure not only meets the needs of the business, but it beats two out of five regional competitors and closely matches the average across all five. With the confidence provided by a secure market and competitive pricing, the business will be cashflow positive in\u0026nbsp;17 months,\u0026nbsp;with gross revenues of\u0026nbsp; 1.196 million dollars\u0026nbsp;in year two, 1.550 million dollars in year\u0026nbsp;three, and 1.582 million dollars in year\u0026nbsp;four. (Disclaimer: These are forward-looking projections and cannot be guaranteed).How investors make a return. Beginning in 2021, and for the first five years after purchase, investors are entitled to annual dividends of 2% in retail credits redeemable for Co-op members’ products. After the initial five-year term, annual dividends are guaranteed at 4%, up to half in retail credits and the remainder in cash.","location":"Petaluma, CA","website":"https://www.bayarearanchers.com","total_amount_raised":302800,"total_investors":109,"is_funded":true,"is_active":true,"quality_score":3,"related_urls":["https://wefunder.com/bay.area.ranchers","https://www.bayarearanchers.com"]},"media":{"logo_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/uploads/company/logo/69388/large_cropped_unnamed.png","profile_video_url":"https://wefunder.wistia.com/medias/agzj1pjpmq"},"links":{"company_url":"https://www.bayarearanchers.com"},"highlights":[],"quick_facts":[{"index":1,"claim_id":"claim-fact-1","value":"Harvest is part of the farm-to-table chain outside ranchers’ control. BAR-C is the missing link."},{"index":2,"claim_id":"claim-fact-2","value":"As a rancher-owned cooperative, we are our own customers, creating stability for the business."},{"index":3,"claim_id":"claim-fact-3","value":"Our members are environmentally responsible ranchers, with our own successful meat businesses."},{"index":4,"claim_id":"claim-fact-4","value":"Our BOD has 100+ years of ranching \u0026amp; processing experience, giving BAR-C the expertise to thrive."},{"index":5,"claim_id":"claim-fact-5","value":"Most harvest trips will be under 50 miles, reducing animal stress \u0026amp; cutting CO2 emissions by 75%."},{"index":6,"claim_id":"claim-fact-6","value":"$117K seed money raised, expected to be profitable \u0026amp; paying dividends in year 3 (not guaranteed)."},{"index":7,"claim_id":"claim-fact-7","value":"You get a return on your investment in cash and Co-Op Credit to use for meat from BAR-C Ranchers!"},{"index":8,"claim_id":"claim-fact-8","value":"BAR-C investors are creating the solution for our regional food system and a model for others."}],"team":[{"id":1149832,"entity_id":"wefunder:company_role:1149832","user_entity_id":"wefunder:user:1106990","role":"founder","name":"Kevin Maloney","title":"President","bio":"Fifth-generation rancher and owner of Fallon Hills Ranch, a multi-generation family ranch, raising animals humanely, sustainably and with love from their home to yours. They work toward a more healthy and happy community.","avatar_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/uploads/company_role/custom_photo/1149832/square_cropped_Kevin_HS.jpg?1601768353","profile_url":"https://wefunder.com/kevinmaloney2","personal_url":"http://fallonhills.com","linkedin_url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-maloney-944a6a76/","related_urls":["https://wefunder.com/kevinmaloney2","http://fallonhills.com"]},{"id":1169758,"entity_id":"wefunder:company_role:1169758","role":"founder","name":"Kathy Webster","title":"Vice President ","bio":"Food Advocacy manager for TomKat Ranch. In 2008 she helped launch the ranch’s grassfed beef business. TomKat Ranch’s goal to inspire 1 million California rangeland acres to be managed regeneratively Kathy leads the Ranch’s Fork to Farm initiative.","avatar_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/uploads/company_role/custom_photo/1169758/square_cropped_Kathy_HS.jpg?1654201524","linkedin_url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-webster-98397979/","related_urls":[]},{"id":1149829,"entity_id":"wefunder:company_role:1149829","user_entity_id":"wefunder:user:1129550","role":"founder","name":"Sarah Silva","title":"Treasurer \u0026 CFO","bio":"Operates Green Star Farm in Sebastopol, CA. A former Program Manager for the NASA Education and Public Outreach Group at Sonoma State University, she holds a B.S. in Physics and has been an entrepreneur and business owner for well over 15 years.","avatar_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/uploads/company_role/custom_photo/1149829/square_cropped_Sarah_HS.jpg?1654201578","profile_url":"https://wefunder.com/sarahsilva","linkedin_url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-silva-a033aa1b7/","related_urls":["https://wefunder.com/sarahsilva"]},{"id":1169759,"entity_id":"wefunder:company_role:1169759","role":"founder","name":"Duskie Estes","title":"Director","bio":"Co-owner of Black Pig Meat Co. with her husband John Stewart. Well known nationally as a celebrity chef, Duskie’s real passion lies in making sure that chefs have access to local, sustainably raised animals.","avatar_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/uploads/company_role/custom_photo/1169759/square_cropped_Contestant_Duskie_Estes.jpg?1654201578","linkedin_url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/duskie-estes-092933198/","related_urls":[]},{"id":1169761,"entity_id":"wefunder:company_role:1169761","user_entity_id":"wefunder:user:1127210","role":"founder","name":"Guido Frosini","title":"Director","bio":"Owner of True Grass Farms, a 3rd-generation family-operated farm in Tomales, CA that specializes in regenerating landscapes and restoring water cycles by increasing biological diversity with adaptive grazing, carbon farming and related practices.","avatar_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/uploads/company_role/custom_photo/1169761/square_cropped_Guido_HS.jpg?1654201578","profile_url":"https://wefunder.com/guido.frosini","related_urls":["https://wefunder.com/guido.frosini"]},{"id":1149828,"entity_id":"wefunder:company_role:1149828","user_entity_id":"wefunder:user:184465","role":"employee","name":"Kim Arnone","title":"Principal at Cutting Edge Capital","bio":"Kim is an attorney who specializes in structuring community-focused capital raises for impact enterprises.","avatar_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/uploads/company_role/custom_photo/1149828/square_cropped_KYA_Photo.jpg?1654201578","profile_url":"https://wefunder.com/kimarnone2","personal_url":"https://www.pathlightlaw.com","related_urls":["https://wefunder.com/kimarnone2","https://www.pathlightlaw.com"]},{"id":1149835,"entity_id":"wefunder:company_role:1149835","role":"employee","name":"Therese Tuttle","avatar_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/2021/user_default_icon_circle.png?1654201578","related_urls":[]},{"id":2821516,"entity_id":"wefunder:company_role:2821516","user_entity_id":"wefunder:user:2645772","role":"founder","name":"Marcia Barinaga","title":"Secretary ","avatar_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/2021/user_default_icon_circle.png?1662052865","profile_url":"https://wefunder.com/marcia.barinaga","related_urls":["https://wefunder.com/marcia.barinaga"]},{"id":1172955,"entity_id":"wefunder:company_role:1172955","user_entity_id":"wefunder:user:1129421","role":"employee","name":"Gianna Banducci","bio":"Gianna Banducci has spent 9 years as a co-op owner and developer in the food and ag sector.","avatar_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/uploads/company_role/custom_photo/1172955/square_cropped_Banducci_bio_pic.jpg?1654201578","profile_url":"https://wefunder.com/gianna.banducci","related_urls":["https://wefunder.com/gianna.banducci"]},{"id":1172958,"entity_id":"wefunder:company_role:1172958","user_entity_id":"wefunder:user:1129103","role":"employee","name":"Brent Morrison","title":" Founder, Principal of Morrison","bio":"Advisors serving agribusiness, processors and others nationwide.","avatar_url":"https://uploads.wefunder.com/uploads/company_role/custom_photo/1172958/square_cropped_Morrison-9282.jpg?1654201578","profile_url":"https://wefunder.com/brent.morrison","related_urls":["https://wefunder.com/brent.morrison"]}],"featured_investors":[],"investor_memos":[],"tab_counts":{"posts":0,"ask_questions":7,"featured_investors":0,"faq_entries":5},"active_fundraises":[{"id":37604,"entity_id":"wefunder:fundraise:37604","state":"successful","offering_type":"4(a)(6)","funding_type":"note","structure":"equity","security_type":"equity","currency":"USD","testing_the_waters":false,"min_purchase":500,"max_purchase":9,"funding_target":50000.0,"funding_started_at":"2020-10-07T21:55:19Z","funding_closed_at":"2021-05-01T05:02:33Z","auto_close_at":"2021-05-01T03:59:59Z"}],"latest_fundraise":{"id":37604,"entity_id":"wefunder:fundraise:37604","state":"successful","offering_type":"4(a)(6)","structure":"equity","testing_the_waters":false,"can_invest_now":false,"funding_started_at":"2020-10-07T21:55:19Z","funding_closed_at":"2021-05-01T05:02:33Z","terms":{"eb":null,"nb":"$1M","txt":"pre-money valuation"}},"recent_posts":[],"q_and_a":[{"id":129450,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:129450","question":"Hi there. If the return is 2% dividend for the first 5 years and then 4% thereafter, does this mean that I won't get a complete return on my investment until after 20+ years? Or does my percent ownership also allows me to earn back the difference of slaughter/op cost and what the ranchers paid (i.e. profit?)","author_name":"Hanson Li","votes":3,"created_at":"2021-02-09T07:07:07Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/bay.area.ranchers#question-129450","answers":[{"id":132755,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:132755","answer":"Hi Hanson, The dividend is not part of the buy back. You could start a buyback process after year 5, and we are required to buy back at a minimum of 10% per year, although we can doo more as the Board authorizes. Please feel free to call me at 707-332-4605 if you have any other questions. Thanks for your interest!","author_name":"Adam Parks","votes":1,"created_at":"2021-02-27T17:47:26Z"}]},{"id":133575,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:133575","question":"Hi there, I was looking through your documents and I saw your CPA, but I was wondering what lawyer you used to file SEC documents. For due diligence purposes.","author_name":"Christopher Mauri","votes":1,"created_at":"2021-03-05T01:31:59Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/bay.area.ranchers#question-133575","answers":[{"id":134021,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:134021","answer":"Hi Christopher, We use Cutting Edge Capital in Oakland for our SEC filings. Feel free to give me a call if you would like more information. Thanks! Adam Parks 707-332-4605","author_name":"Adam Parks","votes":1,"created_at":"2021-03-08T21:49:06Z"}]},{"id":131888,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:131888","question":"I'm from Seattle and I'd like to help your cause, but the projections I'm seeing don't make this a worthwhile investment at the moment. Is there an exit strategy? Or is there another way you're able to incentivize investors who are from outside the Bay Area?","author_name":"Dan Diiulio","votes":1,"created_at":"2021-02-22T05:57:58Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/bay.area.ranchers#question-131888","answers":[{"id":132753,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:132753","answer":"Hi Dan, Thanks for your interest! This is very much a mission-driven investment. We do offer a small return based on a percentage of your investment, and it is guaranteed. We are a Co-Op so it would not make sense for it to be based on profits. As far as an exit strategy, investors have the option to request a buyback of their shares after 5 years. We are required to buy back shares at a minimum of 10% per year but can do more if we are financially able. As far as the incentives, many of our members ship all over, so you should have no problem using the Co-Op credit part of your dividends! Please feel free to call me directly if you have any other questions at 707-332-4605. Adam Parks Investor Coordinator Vice-President, BAR-C","author_name":"Adam Parks","votes":1,"created_at":"2021-02-27T17:44:19Z"}]},{"id":126820,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:126820","question":"I'm not clear on what the return might be.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;I see you estimate a dividend in 3 years.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Assuming at that time,\u0026nbsp;you run at 80% capacity for a full year with one mobile processing unit,\u0026nbsp;what would be the estimated sales and\u0026nbsp;% return or dividend?\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;","author_name":"J Snell","votes":1,"created_at":"2021-01-27T20:25:51Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/bay.area.ranchers#question-126820","answers":[{"id":127461,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:127461","answer":"Hi Judd! For the Wefunder offering dividends are paid out as a percentage of your investment. For the first 5 years dividends are 2% annually paid in retail credit (Co-Op Credits to be used with member ranchers) and are cumulative in the event the board deems not to declare dividends in a given year. After the initial 5 year term, annual dividends are guaranteed at 4% and BAR-C has the option to pay up to 50% of that in Co-Op Credits. Feel free to give me a call if you want to discuss further. Thanks for the question! Adam Parks Vice-President 707-332-4605","author_name":"Adam Parks","votes":1,"created_at":"2021-01-30T18:31:36Z"}]},{"id":126553,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:126553","question":"Are you thinking about adding Santa Cruz County to the BAR-C \"area of interest?\"","author_name":"Art Milburn","votes":1,"created_at":"2021-01-26T05:41:23Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/bay.area.ranchers#question-126553","answers":[{"id":127464,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:127464","answer":"Hi Art! It is definitely on the list. While our business plan has us moving around as little as possible, we are looking at areas like San Mateo and Santa Cruz as possible \"stations\" to go to on a regular basis. It all depends on the number of animals to harvest and the frequency that is needed in a given area. For this to work, it all has to pencil out financially and we have to identify a site that has sufficient corrals and staging area for the trailer. Feel free to reach out to membership@bayarearanchers.com and let them know you are interested and what your harvest needs will be, That way we can add your numbers to the list and see how many are in your area. Thanks for the question and stay tuned!","author_name":"Adam Parks","votes":1,"created_at":"2021-01-30T18:36:55Z"}]},{"id":123684,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:123684","question":"As a gentleman farmer with 5 head of grass fed and finished cattle in UT and as a CA resident, I know the struggles you all face in CA with processing and am thrilled to see your solution. I wonder how you plan to address the potential conflict of interest for pricing and thus profitability since the co-op serves the ranchers, who are parties of interest. Also as a side note, is it required that we take part of our dividend in credit...? We already have 18 cf of freezers full from our own beef and we have more on the way. Great concept!","author_name":"James Scheinberg","votes":1,"created_at":"2021-01-08T21:48:05Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/bay.area.ranchers#question-123684","answers":[{"id":123691,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:123691","answer":"Hi James! The co-op model takes care of that potential pricing conflict (assuming you mean the cost of slaughter) since the members are refunded the difference between what they paid for harvesting an animal and the actual cost at the end of the year. And, no you are not required to take your dividend in Co-Op Credit. Feel free to give me a call directly at 707-332-4605 if you would like to discuss further. Thanks!Adam ParksVP, Investor Relations","author_name":"Kevin Maloney","votes":1,"created_at":"2021-01-08T22:25:18Z"}]},{"id":117984,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:117984","question":"Have you had any conversations with Reggie Knox of FarmLink? They are a CDFI (Community Development Finance Corporation) and have very flexible terms and a low cost of money. Given the amount of equity you have raised already and the urgency of the need (about which I was concerned as I observed the development of the situation over the past several years), I think you might have a good shot at reaching your goal. If interested, please contact me for an introduction to Reggie, with whom I've been working for some time. sgold@sphere.bz.","author_name":"Samuel Goldberger","votes":1,"created_at":"2020-12-08T06:07:47Z","canonical_url":"https://wefunder.com/bay.area.ranchers#question-117984","answers":[{"id":118813,"entity_id":"wefunder:comment:118813","answer":"Thank you Samuel, I will pass this onto to the board member working on financing options!","author_name":"Sarah Silva","votes":1,"created_at":"2020-12-12T02:57:09Z"}]}],"faq":[{"question":"Have you had any conversations with Reggie Knox of FarmLink? They are a CDFI (Community Development Finance Corporation) and have very flexible terms and a low cost of money. Given the amount of equity you have raised already and the urgency of the need (about which I was conc...","answer":"Thank you Samuel, I will pass this onto to the board member working on financing options!"},{"question":"As a gentleman farmer with 5 head of grass fed and finished cattle in UT and as a CA resident, I know the struggles you all face in CA with processing and am thrilled to see your solution. I wonder how you plan to address the potential conflict of interest for pricing and thus...","answer":"Hi James! The co-op model takes care of that potential pricing conflict (assuming you mean the cost of slaughter) since the members are refunded the difference between what they paid for harvesting an animal and the actual cost at the end of the year. And, no you are not required to take your dividend in Co-Op Credit. Feel free to give me a call directly at 707-332-4605 if you would like to discuss further. Thanks!Adam ParksVP, Investor Relations"},{"question":"Are you thinking about adding Santa Cruz County to the BAR-C \"area of interest?\"","answer":"Hi Art! It is definitely on the list. While our business plan has us moving around as little as possible, we are looking at areas like San Mateo and Santa Cruz as possible \"stations\" to go to on a regular basis. It all depends on the number of animals to harvest and the frequency that is needed in a given area. For this to work, it all has to pencil out financially and we have to identify a site that has sufficient corrals and staging area for the trailer. Feel free to reach out to membership..."},{"question":"I'm not clear on what the return might be.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;I see you estimate a dividend in 3 years.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Assuming at that time,\u0026nbsp;you run at 80% capacity for a full year with one mobile processing unit,\u0026nbsp;what would be the estimated sales and\u0026nbsp;% return or dividen...","answer":"Hi Judd! For the Wefunder offering dividends are paid out as a percentage of your investment. For the first 5 years dividends are 2% annually paid in retail credit (Co-Op Credits to be used with member ranchers) and are cumulative in the event the board deems not to declare dividends in a given year. After the initial 5 year term, annual dividends are guaranteed at 4% and BAR-C has the option to pay up to 50% of that in Co-Op Credits. Feel free to give me a call if you want to discuss further..."},{"question":"Hi there. If the return is 2% dividend for the first 5 years and then 4% thereafter, does this mean that I won't get a complete return on my investment until after 20+ years? Or does my percent ownership also allows me to earn back the difference of slaughter/op cost and what ...","answer":"Hi Hanson, The dividend is not part of the buy back. You could start a buyback process after year 5, and we are required to buy back at a minimum of 10% per year, although we can doo more as the Board authorizes. Please feel free to call me at 707-332-4605 if you have any other questions. Thanks for your interest!"}]}}}