Riffle Farms is expanding their bison herd and building out a venue space equipped with a commercial kitchen to offer value added bison products.
Funded on 01/05/2022
Located on 64 acres in Terra Alta, WV, Riffle Farms is a holistically managed bison operation. Founded in 2017 by Liz Riffle, Riffle Farms was the first commercial bison farm in the state of West Virginia. Liz owns and operates the farm with the help of her husband, Jimmie, and her brother in law, Jeremy. Their bison are rotationally grazed throughout the property, and fully grass-fed and finished. Riffle Farms maintains a herd size between 30 and 40 animals and sells a variety of cuts (brisket, strip loin, ground meat) direct-to-consumer at two farmers markets and to local restaurants.
In addition to raising bison, Riffle Farms has been cultivating a robust agritourism space in one of their large barns for tours, tastings, and dinner events. On a heavily-wooded 10-acre piece of the property, the farm now boasts two tent campsites and two gravel RV sites. There is over a mile of hiking and walking trails with planned expansion this winter to prepare for more visitor foot traffic to their new storefront launching in the Spring of 2022.
Riffle Farms is seeking a loan from Steward to purchase an additional 10 head of bison, build out a walk-in freezer, and convert their existing red barn into an event space equipped with a commercial kitchen. Demand for Riffle Farms bison meat exceeds their current supply capacity. This expansion will allow for more frequent on-farm events and an expansion of their value-added bison products, including bison chili, meaty mac & cheese, and bison burgers.
Riffle Farms is committed to raising honest, transparent, and sustainable meat. Their practices are aligned with the principles of regenerative agriculture, and include:
We want to say a GIANT THANK YOU for all of the heartfelt support and kind notes!! WOW, this has been such a wonderful process! We are excited for this year’s expansion and look forward to being able to host more events and folks “where the buffalo roam in WV!”
Animals--$25,000: Purchasing 10 grass-fed bison to expand their herd.
Cold Storage--$20,000: Installing a walk-in freezer and laying the concrete site for it.
Commercial Kitchen--$33,200: All infrastructure needed to build out a 20’x20’ commercial kitchen in their Red Barn, including plumbing, electric, laying out concrete, and purchasing appliances.
Refinance--$24,000: Refinance an existing business loan.
Total Budget: $102,200
This loan will be made to Riffle Farms Limited Liability Company, a West Virginia limited liability company doing business as Riffle Farms, which raises and sells grass fed bison.
This loan will be used to expand their bison herd, build a walk-in freezer, install a commercial kitchen on the farm, and refinance an existing business loan.
The total loan amount is $102,200, which will assist Riffle Farms in growing and expanding their business.
This loan is set at an 8% interest rate, with a 60 month term, and fully amortized monthly payments beginning 9 months after funds are disbursed.
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