Catskill Mountainkeeper launches its Capital Access Agricultural Loan Program this week, a loan program to connect local farmers with capital. “We conducted surveys among farmers and learned that their biggest barrier to increasing farm production and revenue was access to capital.” said Ramsay Adams, Catskill Mountainkeeper’s Executive Director. “This program begins to address that need and furthers our efforts to develop the Catskill Region as a food basket for the greater New York City Metropolitan area.” The Capital Access Agricultural Loan Program offers small- to medium-sized loans to nurture environmentally friendly farms and food businesses throughout the Catskill Region. As part of its test stage, the program made its first loan to fund the expansion of the Catskill Food Company, resulting in an increase in production and sales of artisanal sausages whose ingredients are sourced from the region and New York State.