Back Roads to BoardRooms

Preserving Lives and Livelihoods: An Update on Our COVID-19 Response

Posted by Root Capital | June 23, 2020

As the COVID-19 crisis unfolds, we believe that saving lives must go hand in hand with preserving livelihoods. Agricultural businesses can play a key role in reaching the most vulnerable populations with creative, rapid responses that build long-term resilience. In a survey of our client businesses, we found they are struggling to manage their cash flow…

A More Sustainable Future for Bees—and their Keepers—in Southern Mexico

Posted by Root Capital | June 23, 2020

On Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, nestled far from the sea, the town of Kankabchen is teeming with honeybees. In this Maya community, honey is more than just a business—it’s a cultural touchstone. Families have raised bees for generations. Some can still remember when honey was used in place of doctors’ visits to close wounds and treat cataracts. Lidia Maribel Moo Poot…

Harvesting Under Quarantine: One Co-op’s Creative Approach

Posted by Root Capital | June 17, 2020

As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of resilient, farmer-focused agricultural enterprises have never been clearer. For example, in Colombia, Root Capital client Federación Campesina del Cauca (FCC) is helping its farmers adapt to social distancing and other restrictions during the all-important coffee harvest season. Sustainable Harvest, one of FCC’s largest buyers and a Root…

Black Lives Matter: A Personal Statement from Root Capital’s Founder and CEO

Posted by Willy Foote | June 9, 2020

In the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other Black Americans at the hands of the police, people across the United States have come together calling for the end of systemic racism and police brutality. We at Root Capital stand in solidarity with them. Change begins in recognizing the underheard voices of the vulnerable and the…

Latest Findings About Root Capital’s Impact on Rural Livelihoods

Posted by Isabel DoCampo | May 21, 2020

Note: This blog is the final post in a four-part series exploring how Root Capital measures and manages the impact of our lending. Read parts one, two, and three. Impact measurement and management is at the heart of Root Capital’s work, helping us optimize our efforts to transform rural communities. By measuring our impact, we…

An Update on Root Capital’s COVID-19 Response

Posted by Frances Reid | April 24, 2020

It has been five weeks since we closed the Root Capital offices and switched to remote work across the globe. First and foremost, I’m grateful to report the good health of our team and clients and wish the same for you and your loved ones.

How We’re Continuing to Support Rural Businesses and Smallholder Farmers During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Posted by Root Capital | March 20, 2020

As individuals, communities, and organizations, we are all adapting to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Root Capital and the agricultural businesses we support are no exception; which is why we’re doing everything we can to continue advancing our mission during this uncertain time.

COVID-19 Update From Root Capital

Posted by Frances Reid | March 19, 2020

As the world faces an outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), our thoughts are with all of you in our global community. This is a difficult time, with many unknowns. But one thing is certain: we must continue being in solidarity with the most vulnerable.

Root Capital’s Impact in 2019

Posted by Root Capital | March 11, 2020

Last year, we partnered with agricultural enterprises to unlock prosperity in some of the most economically and environmentally vulnerable regions of the world. With the help of our donors and investors, we reached more than three million people in rural households. Thank you for supporting our mission to build prosperous, inclusive, and resilient rural communities.

This “Hidden Influencer” is Expanding Opportunity for Women Farmers in Colombia

Posted by Rob Hefferon | March 5, 2020

It’s 3 o’clock in the morning. The crickets have stopped chirping and hours will pass before the rooster crows. Elizabeth Garzón Piamba is preparing the fire for breakfast while her family sleeps. After she feeds her children and gets them ready for school, she heads out to work as the sun just peeks over the horizon. Elizabeth is a coffee farmer. And she has 4,000 trees to take care of.