At 72 and legally blind, Lois Inman is in the final days of a community investment campaign to transform 30 acres in Grantsburg, Illinois, into Southern Illinois' first solar-powered agritourism destination. Her venture, Bone + Bear Farms, combines a heritage goat-milk skincare line, eco-luxury glamping, and on-farm experiences. The campaign on Honeycomb Credit closes December 1st at 11:59 p.m. EST, having raised $17,771 of its $50,000 minimum goal—35% funded. If the minimum is not met, all funds will be returned to investors.
The farm is built on three pillars: The Gilded Goat, a skincare line based on recipes from Inman's grandmother; glamping with stargazer tents and tiny cabins; and seasonal events like mobile laser tag and farm-to-table dining. The Honeycomb raise will fund a solar-powered production space, glamping infrastructure, a guest bathhouse, and educational areas where visitors can learn about farming and renewable energy.
"I'm taking everything my grandmother handed me—our land, her recipes, and a belief in rural women—and turning it into a place where people can actually visit, meet the goats, and see where their skincare comes from," said Inman. "You can invest in our business, earn potential returns, and literally walk the land, meet the herd, stay in a tent under the stars." She emphasizes that the project aims to prove rural and multigenerational family businesses are still worth investing in.
Beyond tourism, the farm intends to serve as a rural workforce hub, training local women in skincare production and hospitality, while showcasing products from nearby makers. Honeycomb Credit is waiving investor transaction fees from Small Business Saturday (November 29th) through Cyber Monday (December 1st) to encourage investment. Individuals can review the full offering, terms, and risks on the campaign page at https://invest.honeycombcredit.com/campaigns/Bone-+-Bear-Farms. Investments start at $100.
The campaign's outcome underscores the challenges of raising capital for rural, women-led enterprises. Inman's story reflects a broader trend of older entrepreneurs leveraging crowdfunding to preserve family legacies and create sustainable, community-focused businesses. As the deadline approaches, the success of Bone + Bear Farms could inspire similar initiatives in underserved regions.
