The flooding and devastation that has hit so many of our farmers is overwhelming. Farmers suffered major crop loss, damages, and displaced or perished livestock. Many are just beginning to navigate the long road ahead. Some farmers were forced to face an end to a harvest season that had only just begun.
Our hearts are with all the farmers that were impacted by the recent flooding. ❤️
Was your farm impacted? In preparation for the disaster recovery process, farmers are encouraged to reach out to their local Farm Service Agency county office to report their loss and damages. Reporting helps determine federal relief opportunities!
We have compiled response and recovery information for affected farmers, farmworkers, producers, and processors that is available for the ongoing State of Emergency across our region.
In all states:
- USDA disaster assistance for farmers, ranchers and communities includes a recovery tool, risk management, and food safety guidelines. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has directed the USDA to aid recovery efforts.
- Farm Aid is offering a Farmer Resource Network and a hotline to point you toward both local and national resources offering relief. They are also accepting requests for assistance!
- Farmers’ Legal Action Group offers guides to disaster assistance. Of interest to organic farmers, as a flood or other natural disaster will have results unique to organic production, find steps to recovery.
- Farm Credit East Cares Community Fund offers financial assistance of up to $500 to impacted producers to assist with personal losses or expenses incurred.
In Vermont:
- Find disaster relief resources at the Agency of Agriculture, including recovery donation opportunities.
- UVM Agricultural & Environmental Testing Lab is offering free testing for farms with flooded fields, including the basic soil test, heavy metals screen, and available nitrate nitrogen (PSNT).
- The Center for Agricultural Economy’s Vermont Farm Fund offers emergency, zero percent interest loans payable over 36-48 months, to Vermont farmers or food producers who have suffered a devastating loss due to an unexpected natural disaster.
- Mental health resources are available for free at Farm First.
In Massachusetts:
- Find disaster relief guidance and resources at Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) including mental health resources.
- MA Farm Resiliency Fund is open. If your farm has gross sales of $10K or more and has been impacted by the July rains and flooding, fill out this application, by August 25th, to request funding. The goal is to distribute these funds by the end of August.
- Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) has opened their emergency farm fund that can provide zero-interest loans to impacted farmers.
- Franklin County CDC, Western MA Food Processing Center, is offering support to farm businesses if cashflow has been affected or in need of financing or other assistance.
In New Hampshire:
- Find disaster relief resources at the Department of Agriculture.
- The Farm & Ranch Stress Assistance Network offers Farm Strong NH with farmer to farmer support networks, as well as mental health resources.
In Connecticut:
- Find disaster relief resources at the Department of Agriculture.
- Farmland Restoration Flood Response Grant (FRFRG) will provide matching funds to Connecticut farmers, nonprofits, and municipalities impacted. Apply by 4pm on August 31, 2023.
- Mental health resources are available at CT Farm Stress Relief.
The series of extreme weather events this year has hit farmers hard. The season has been challenging for our farmers, but they continue to demonstrate perseverance following hardships like this!
