Lois Inman, a 72-year-old legally blind entrepreneur, is in the final days of a community investment campaign to establish Southern Illinois' first solar-powered agritourism destination. Bone + Bear Farms, the women-led enterprise she founded, has raised $17,771 toward its $50,000 minimum goal through Honeycomb Credit, with the campaign closing December 1st at 11:59 p.m. EST. If the minimum funding threshold is not met, all investor funds will be returned.
The project transforms 30 acres in Grantsburg, Illinois, into a multifaceted destination built on three core components: The Gilded Goat heritage skincare line using recipes passed down from Inman's grandmother, eco-luxury glamping accommodations including stargazer tents and tiny cabins, and comprehensive on-farm experiences featuring mobile laser tag, farm-to-table dining, and seasonal events for families, schools, and corporate retreats. The investment campaign funds will support completion of a solar-powered production facility for The Gilded Goat, glamping infrastructure including a guest bathhouse, expanded water and electrical systems, and educational spaces where visitors can learn about farming, skincare production, and renewable energy implementation.
"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," Inman explained. The project represents more than just a business venture, serving as a testament to the viability of rural economic development and multigenerational family enterprises. Beyond welcoming overnight guests, the farm aims to function as a rural workforce and artisan hub, training local women in skincare production, hospitality management, and agritourism operations while showcasing products from regional makers.
Potential investors can review complete offering details, terms, and risk disclosures at https://invest.honeycombcredit.com/campaigns/Bone-+-Bear-Farms. Honeycomb Credit, the SEC-regulated investment platform hosting the campaign, is waiving investor transaction fees from Small Business Saturday through Cyber Monday, allowing more of each investment dollar to directly support the project. Investments begin at $100, making community participation accessible to everyday individuals who believe in supporting rural business innovation and women-led enterprises.
The Bone + Bear Farms initiative demonstrates how traditional agricultural practices can integrate with modern sustainable technology and tourism development. By combining heritage skincare manufacturing with solar-powered operations and educational programming, the project creates a model for rural economic diversification that could influence similar developments across agricultural regions. The timing coincides with growing consumer interest in transparent supply chains, sustainable tourism options, and supporting local artisans and farmers directly.
This development matters because it represents a significant shift in how rural communities can leverage their agricultural heritage while embracing renewable energy and experiential tourism. The project's success could inspire similar multigenerational family businesses to explore innovative funding models through platforms like Honeycomb Credit while demonstrating that age and physical challenges need not limit entrepreneurial ambition. For Southern Illinois specifically, the establishment of this agritourism destination could stimulate local economic activity, create employment opportunities, and attract visitors from surrounding metropolitan areas, potentially serving as a catalyst for broader regional development.
