FORGE was founded in 1989 by groups of organic farmers from throughout the Ozarks bio-region of Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma who were concerned that farmers who were interested in incorporating sustainable agricultural practices into their farming systems were being hindered by a lack of affordable capital. One of their solutions was to form a revolving loan fund that would be sensitive to the needs of small farmers.

As the years went by the members of FORGE realized that agriculture was only one of the needs of rural communities and that the loan program needed to expand its reach to include businesses that provide services and stable employment opportunities to families living in rural areas.

FORGE's loan program now has many components: It has an energy saving program; it helps other community organization that support the mission of FORGE; it has a credit establishment program and makes emergency loans to help individuals and families in need. In 1998 FORGE became a SBA Microlender and now offers technical assistance to start up businesses.

Borrowers who adhere closely to the mission of FORGE are eligible for interest rate incentives.

While the range of the programs has expanded, the goals have remained the same: to link borrowers with investors to create healthy sustainable communities through the Ozarks.