Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund announces sixth grant round for recovery assistance

The Vermont Community Foundation and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture announced that the Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund is accepting applications for a new grant roundtoprovide support to individual farmers who were affected by Tropical Storm Irene, to help them continue or return to production.This is the fund’s sixth grant round.
Since its creation nearly a year ago, the fund has awarded over $1.92 million to 198 farmers affected by the flood. As of August 1, total contributions received or pledged to the fund exceeded $2.46 million.
‘From the beginning, the fund’s goal has been to support both short- and long-term recovery,’said Chuck Ross, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture. ‘We’ve worked to balance awarding many grants immediately following the storm while holding some funding in reserve to address longer-term needs such as feed purchase, field repairs, and structural damage. This strategy allows us to support farmers throughout the entire recovery process.’
Ross encouraged all impacted farmers’even those who have already received a grant from the fund’to apply for assistance if they are still struggling to get back on their feet. He noted that preference will be given to first-time applicants to the fund.
The Agency of Agriculture, working with the USDA Farm Service Agency, the Governor's Irene Recovery Office, the Vermont Association of Conservation Districts, and Castleton State College, recently conducted a survey of impacted farmers in Vermont to assess recovery-related progress and needs; the Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund committee is working with the Agency of Agriculture and the USDA Farm Service Agency to understand how to best address the remaining needs identified by the survey.
‘The survey results confirm that farmers are still struggling with a number of specific recovery-related issues. Grants from this round can be used by farmers for a wide range of needs, including to help pay outstanding bills,’said Ryan Torres, philanthropic advisor at the Vermont Community Foundation. ‘Vermont farmers have made a lot of progress this past year, and we’re committed to continuing our support of their recovery.’
Applications are available onwww.vtfloodresponse.organd are due Monday, August 27. Checks will be mailed to selected farmers the second week in September. The fund will continue to hold grant rounds for assistance as long as funding remains available. Farmers who sustained other losses or damages from the storm and have not received a grant from the fund are encouraged to contactRyan Torres, philanthropic advisor at the Vermont Community Foundation, at802-388-3355 ext. 289, or[email protected].
The fund committee includes representatives from the Vermont Community Foundation, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, NOFA Vermont, Vermont Farm Bureau, Rural Vermont, Rutland Area Farm and Food Link, and University of Vermont Extension.
Visitwww.vtfloodresponse.orgto learn more about the fund, to make a contribution, or to read about farmers who have received grants from the fund. The website was created by the Community Foundation to provide detailed, updated information about the Foundation’s Irene recovery efforts, including grants available and grants awarded. It also has a useful resources section with a comprehensive list of flood resources and information about Irene recovery work being done by other organizations.
The Agency of Agriculture works to facilitate, support and encourage the growth and viability of Vermont agriculture while protecting the working landscape, human, animal and plant health and the environment. Visitwww.vermontagriculture.comfor more information.
The Vermont Community Foundation is a family of hundreds of funds and foundations established by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals. It provides the advice, investment vehicles, and back-office expertise to make giving easy and inspiring. The Foundation also provides leadership in giving by responding to community needs and keeping Vermont’s nonprofit sector vital. Together, its funds and programs provide more than $12 million a year in grants and other investments in Vermont. Visitwww.vermontcf.orgor call802-388-3355for more information.