A diverse group of organizations is working with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets to raise money for farmers affected by last year’s extreme weather — from late spring’s hard frost to the summer’s flooding.
The “Dig Deep Vermont” campaign, announced last week, aims to raise $20 million to provide relief for more than 350 farms across the state. However, a press release announcing the effort noted that the need is estimated to be far greater: $45 million, according to the state Agency of Agriculture.
Threats to farm solvency include crop damage, inadequate winter feed supplies for animals, financial ruin from lost harvests needed to pay loans, and irreparable damage to equipment and facilities, the press release said. According to the campaign’s website, many Vermont farms are at risk of long-term devastating loss or, in some cases, failing altogether.
“Vermont’s farms faced significant challenges this year from freezing to floods,” Gov. Phil Scott said in the press release. “The loss is significant, and farmers need our help. We must work to support our ag economy and the local economies in every Vermont county.”
Organizations helping lead the campaign include the Vermont Association of Broadcasters, Ski Vermont and the Association of Vermont Credit Unions as well as an alliance of local and out-of-state private enterprises.
The Vermont Farm Bureau will distribute the donations until the campaign concludes late this summer. Farmers seeking assistance should fill out a Dig Deep Vermont Farm Assistance Request Form.
