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| Marco Vangelisti |
We then have the pleasure of hearing from a representative of one of Slow Moneys successful investments. Thomas Nelson, of the Capay Valley Farm Shop, who proudly support their local farmers and deliver a marvellous range of food to Bay Area customers, will tell us how they came to Slow Money and their uplifting story.
Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money
…..a beautiful excerpt from Woody Tasch “Inquiries into the Nature of Slow Money: investing as if food, farms and fertility mattered”
"…Let us dare to imagine an investor who has the sacred passion of an earthworm, slowly making his or her way through the soil of commerce and culture, playing a small, vital role in the maintenance of fertility.
Now, whether such notions have any practical import to the task of creating this new entity called Slow Money seems, at first, implausible. But it isn’t so. The success of Slow Money will depend upon a vision that dares to be playful; that dares to assert a connection between human and humus and humility and humor; that dares to push back against the dismal science of economics and the hegemony of market mind; that dares to put money in its place, that calms money, in much the same way that ‘traffic calming’ is becoming part of the agenda for ‘smart growth’ in progressive communities, so that healthy relationships can once again begin to flourish; that dares to put ‘taste’ and ‘flavor’ back into investing, moving from the Big Mac school of fatty and salty buy-low/sell-high investing to the Coleman Carrot school of investing that celebrates the subtle joys of terroir and authenticity.
The investor as earthworm versus the investor as Master of the Universe.
For my part, I would rather emulate an earthworm than an astronaut. I would rather enrich a plot of land than grow the portfolio of a quant.
Does this make me a bad investor? No, it makes me a different kind of investor. I would argue that an investor whose financial activity is predicated upon extraction—upon the linear take-make-waste methodologies of a world that had never seen the picture of the earth rising over the moon—is not really an investor at all. He is not truly investing himself in that to which he is applying his capital. Quite the opposite. He is keeping himself completely out of it, denying any personal connection to or responsibility for that to which his capital is lending its energy. How is it that something that is all about exists and liquidity and anonymity can really be called, in good faith, investing at all?"
Slow Money Farm Fest
"…Let us dare to imagine an investor who has the sacred passion of an earthworm, slowly making his or her way through the soil of commerce and culture, playing a small, vital role in the maintenance of fertility.
Now, whether such notions have any practical import to the task of creating this new entity called Slow Money seems, at first, implausible. But it isn’t so. The success of Slow Money will depend upon a vision that dares to be playful; that dares to assert a connection between human and humus and humility and humor; that dares to push back against the dismal science of economics and the hegemony of market mind; that dares to put money in its place, that calms money, in much the same way that ‘traffic calming’ is becoming part of the agenda for ‘smart growth’ in progressive communities, so that healthy relationships can once again begin to flourish; that dares to put ‘taste’ and ‘flavor’ back into investing, moving from the Big Mac school of fatty and salty buy-low/sell-high investing to the Coleman Carrot school of investing that celebrates the subtle joys of terroir and authenticity.
The investor as earthworm versus the investor as Master of the Universe.
For my part, I would rather emulate an earthworm than an astronaut. I would rather enrich a plot of land than grow the portfolio of a quant.
Does this make me a bad investor? No, it makes me a different kind of investor. I would argue that an investor whose financial activity is predicated upon extraction—upon the linear take-make-waste methodologies of a world that had never seen the picture of the earth rising over the moon—is not really an investor at all. He is not truly investing himself in that to which he is applying his capital. Quite the opposite. He is keeping himself completely out of it, denying any personal connection to or responsibility for that to which his capital is lending its energy. How is it that something that is all about exists and liquidity and anonymity can really be called, in good faith, investing at all?"
Slow Money Farm Fest
February 25, 3pm-9pm, at Tara Firma Farms in Petaluma
Join Slow Money Northern California’s Farm Fest at Tara Firma Farms in Petaluma on February 25! Learn more about how to support sustainable food systems, meet the Slow Money movers, and have lots of fun networking with entrepreneurs, investors and our local community!From 3pm-9pm (rain or shine), you’ll:
- Tour this locally owned and operated farm
- Meet local entrepreneurs and learn how they enrich sustainable food systems
- Talk with Slow Money founder Woody Tasch about our movement
- Participate in a community potluck, enjoy live music
- And have some down-on-the-farm fun!
Sign up now – space is limited!
Tara Firma Farms is located at 3796 I Street in Petaluma. The farm works in harmony with land and animals, offering delicious food that balances environmental, community and nutritional needs.
Thomas Nelson
Capay Valley Farm Shop
http://capayvalleyfarmshop.com
Thomas Nelson is co-founder and president of Capay Valley Farm Shop, a social venture offering Bay Area families and institutions 100% local, seasonal food direct from over 30 small family farms. Since 1991 Thomas has worked with farmers, NGOs, and small businesses to develop healthy communities and sustainable food systems.
Prior to his current position, he was founding executive director at Capay Valley Vision, a coalition organizer with Community Food Security Coalition, and a senior manager at Community Alliance with Family Farmers. Thomas earned his MBA at UC Davis where he focused on social entrepreneurship.
He serves on the boards of New Season Community Development Corporation and California Farmlink.Capay Valley Farm Shop offers a rare opportunity for families and institutions to buy 100% local, seasonal food direct from 30 small, family farms.
About Capay Valley Farm Shop
Capay Valley Farm Shop offers a rare opportunity for families and institutions to buy 100% local, seasonal food direct from 30 small, family farms.
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| Thohas shows Stephen some of the Capay Valley Products |
The Capay Valley, part of the Cache Creek Watershed, is nested along the Coast Range in Yolo County between Sacramento and the Bay Area. Known for its beauty, warm summers, complex soils, and, above all, productive family farms, the land has been agriculturally vital for over a century. For three decades farmers in the Capay Valley have been at the leading edge of sustainable farming and the local food movement.
Capay Valley Farm Shop brings together our diverse partnership of enthusiastic and approachable family farmers who share a passion for growing food and community. We are proud to unite our products under a regional identity, Capay Valley Grown, and share an abundant harvest of high quality products — organic vegetables, fruits, nuts, meats, olive oil, wine, lavender, honey, flowers, and more.
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| The Team: (from left to right) Loren David, Bonnie Scott, Roxanne Crittenden, Linda Deering, Gwen Green, Jesse Capitanio, Nikki Peronto, Thomas Nelson. Photo by Brian Collentine |
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