Hundreds of Vermont farms are still grappling with the aftermath of catastrophic flooding and extreme weather that hit the region last July as they prepare for this year’s growing season. Dog River Farm in Vermont lost most of its crops to the July flooding and later suffered additional damage in December when the fields were washed away again, leaving behind silt and giant holes. Another farm, run by Jeremy and Jennifer Leather, lost straw bales and faced challenges with their hay becoming saturated with silt. A grassroots fundraising campaign called Dig Deep Vermont has started giving out grants to 32 farms in an effort to provide some financial relief and support to those affected by the natural disasters.
The Dig Deep Vermont campaign announced its first round of grants to help farmers deal with the expenses incurred due to the flooding and extreme weather events. Vermont Farm Bureau President Jackie Folsom expressed the urgent need for feed and access to fields for planting in the upcoming season. While the grants are not enough to make up for all the losses, they hope to provide some financial support to help farmers with expenses like fuel, seed, fertilizer, and supplies. The campaign aims to provide farmers with a sense of hope and help them cover at least some of their bills during this challenging time.
Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts highlighted the significant losses experienced by farms in the state due to the severe weather events. The losses have amounted to millions of dollars, including crop loss, damage to equipment, and the need to remove debris from fields. Many fields are still filled with sand and silt, and some crops like corn remain unharvested along Route 2. Farmers need to clean up the silt from their fields before planting anything new, and many will also have to carry out soil contamination tests to ensure the safety of their future crops.
The challenges faced by Vermont farmers extend beyond financial losses to the physical and environmental impacts of the flooding and extreme weather events. Debris removal, soil cleaning, and testing for contamination add to the workload and expenses for these farmers. The delays and damages caused by the weather events have created uncertainty for the upcoming growing season, increasing anxiety levels for many farmers like George Gross. Despite the uncertainties, farmers are persevering and looking ahead to the harvest season with hopes of a successful outcome.
The Vermont farming community is rallying together to support those affected by the natural disasters by providing grants and assistance to help them recover and prepare for the upcoming growing season. The Dig Deep Vermont campaign, with its focus on helping farmers with expenses related to the floods and extreme weather, aims to provide some relief and support during these challenging times. While the road to recovery may be long and arduous, the resilience and determination of Vermont farmers shine through as they work tirelessly to rebuild and restore their farms in the face of adversity.
