Down on the Farm

You may wonder how one goes about starting a winery, it is a question we have been thinking about a lot lately! Here is what we have learned so far - it takes vision, creativity, perseverance, patience, business savvy, partnerships, politics, and capital, lots and lots of capital.

In preparation for generating that capital, we have established a Michigan-based non-profit corporation, Lazy Goat Farm. The Farm will be a critical part of our business model. Over the next year or so, the most critical function of the farm will be fund-raising. This will be accomplished through capital campaigns, selling of Lazy Goat Farm- and Lazy Goat Winery-branded merchandise, and selling products generated from the farm like compost, fruit, flowers, firewood, etc, and grant-writing.

These funds will be used to support the planting, care, and harvest of fruits for the winery, to design and build an accessible and inclusive structures to process and sell Farm (and eventually winery) products, and most importantly, provide education, training, and work opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

We are currently applying for 501(c)(3) status and preparing to recruit a Board of Directors. If you have a passion for advocacy, education, farming, small business, marketing, workforce development, or wine (let’s definitely not forget about the wine!), and you would like to get Down on the Farm, please reach out and let us know (lazygoatwinery@gmail.com).