"If this was just a business failure, there's no way I'd ask the community for support," Durand said. "That's totally inappropriate. That's why you have investors and bank financing. That's one thing. This is not that. Clearly, this was something way outside my control."

Rewards to Kickstarter backers reflect the range of support Black Earth Meats has already gathered. In addition to T-shirts, postcards, sausages and a master class at the Conscious Carnivore, there are prizes from the seasonal florist Farm to Vase and Capital Brewery in Middleton.

"It's more than people I supply, it's people who understand the importance of the local food infrastructure," Durand said. "Whether they're our direct customer or not, they understand the role we played."

For a $10 pledge, Ian's Pizza will give you a free slice of pie. The Great Dane Pub and Brewing Co., which uses Black Earth beef for its Sustain-a-Burger, will give pledgers at the $45 a burger and a brew.

At the $200 level, chef/owner Luke Zahm at Driftless Cafe will prepare dinner for two at his restaurant.

A sweet and savory pie-making class for nine hosted by Chef Molly Maciejewski at Madison Sourdough has already been snapped up at the $1,000 level.