The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) is launching an online auction on October 1 to raise crucial funding for the Farmer Emergency Fund, which will provide financial support to organic and NOFA-VT member farmers whose land and crops were destroyed by the statewide flooding.
Never before have so many Vermont farms suffered damages at once; according to Vern Grubinger at the University of Vermont, vegetable farms alone have sustained at least $1.5 million in losses. NOFA-VT’s Farmer Emergency Fund has been in existence since 1997 making funds available to organic and member farmers throughout the state who have been affected by fires, blizzards, floods, and other disasters.
‘We were so glad that NOFA’s Farmer Emergency fund was there for us,’ said Paul Betz of High Ledge Farm, who received a $6,000 grant in 2010 after his farm suffered a catastrophic fire. ‘There were missing pieces in our insurance policy, and we used the money from the Fund to fill those holes.’
Applications for financial assistance through the Farmer Emergency Fund have already been received and the expectation of need due to the flooding is extremely high. In response, NOFA-VT is reaching out to the community and statewide businesses for donations to increase the Fund, which provides both grants and zero-percent-interest loans. Additionally, the online auction which was intended to be part of NOFA-VT’s capital campaign has been redirected to benefit the Farmer Emergency Fund. Businesses and individuals wanting to help raise money for flood-impacted farmers can donate items, services or experiences online now. The online auction will launch on October 1. NOFA-VT hopes to raise at least $30,000 through this auction.
For more information about donating or applying for funds, please visit nofavt.org or call 802-434-4122.
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About NOFA Vermont: NOFA Vermont is member-based organization working to grow local farms, healthy food, and strong communities in Vermont. Our members are farmers, gardeners, educators and food lovers of all sorts ‘ anyone who wants to help us create a future full of local food and local farms. Our programs include farmer and gardener technical assistance, farm to school support, organic certification, advocacy, an online apprentice and farm worker directory, an annual Winter Conference, and programs that work to ensure access to fresh, local food to all Vermonters, regardless of income.