Why Now? The Strategic Timing of Our StartEngine Raise and What It Means for the Future of Family Farms

We have been reflecting on timing quite a bit lately — not just the calendar, but the deeper alignment of opportunity, need, and readiness. As FC Development Corp. and The Farmer’s Cow® officially open our equity offering on StartEngine, this moment feels especially meaningful.

Recent data from the U.S. Small Business Administration (released March 24, 2026) shows that small family farms still make up 86.5% of all U.S. farms yet account for only 17.2% of total agricultural production. Meanwhile, USDA’s February 2026 Farms and Land in Farms report notes a continued gradual decline in the overall number of farms (down to 1,865,000 in 2025), with consolidation favoring larger operations. These trends underscore a growing urgency: family farms need scalable, resilient models that can compete while staying true to their roots.

At the same time, equity crowdfunding itself is maturing rapidly. As of early 2026, Reg CF has evolved into a stable, coordinated capital channel with median and upper-quartile raise sizes trending upward, reflecting greater sophistication from both issuers and investors. StartEngine’s own platform data shows continued strong activity, with billions already deployed across thousands of offerings. This environment creates a powerful window for mission-driven companies like ours.

Our cooperative model — built on tangible agricultural assets, experiential dining, premium retail, and clean energy initiatives — is designed precisely for this moment. It supports family farms through a circular economy that delivers both economic resilience and real-world impact. The StartEngine raise is not simply about capital; it is about accelerating the next phase of that support at a time when family farms need it most.

We see this as the right step, at the right time, to expand cooperative licensing, grow our café footprint, and deepen our retail and clean energy partnerships — all while staying grounded in the farmer-first ethos that has guided us since 2003.

To our community of supporters, partners, fellow farmers, and forward-thinking investors: we are grateful to share this next chapter with you. Your belief in authentic agriculture and thoughtful innovation continues to fuel our progress. We welcome your thoughts as we move forward together.

Humbly, yet resolutely, 

Steve Lane
President
FC Development Corp.