Funds Critically Needed for New England Farms

As reported by individual farm owners and state agricultural agencies in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York and Connecticut, recent storms that flooded farms and pastures have resulted in thousands of acres of crop damage, multi-million dollar losses, soil contamination, and the potential for long-term damage.

While federal disaster declarations have been made in some states opening up channels for financial help, state governments, non-profit organizations and individual farms have launched their own large-scale fundraising campaigns to garner farm support more rapidly.

Natural Roots in Conway, Mass., is one of many farms reeling from devastation. Based on its GoFundMe page, the staff describe how rapidly rising floodwaters from the South River destroyed food crops and fields, and gutted farm roads and river crossings resulting in at least $85,000 of losses.

One of the latest government-initiated farm fundraising campaigns is the Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund announced on July 20 by the Massachusetts Healey-Driscoll Administration and United Way of Central Massachusetts.

According to the administration press release, "The fund is a partnership between philanthropic organizations and private foundations intended to support Western and Central Mass farms impacted by recent flooding and strengthen farm resiliency in the long term."

Ways to Donate

Numerous collaborative and individual farm-fundraising campaigns are currently underway as listed below.

Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund (as noted above)

Community Involved with Sustaining Agriculture (MA)

Intervale Center Recovery Fund (VT)

Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont

Vermont Farm Fund

American Red Cross of Connecticut

United Way of Connecticut

Various GoFundMe efforts for individual farms, families and communities affected by flooding have also been created.

“For generations, our farms have been part of our cultural heritage and the fabric of our local communities,” said Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle. “As heartbreaking as it has been to see our farming community hit hard this past week, I’m truly inspired to see the community step up and rally around our farmers with this partnership that will bring much needed relief.”