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Tropical Storm Irene

Vermont Agricultural Damage Report as of November 11, 2011
Compiled by USDA Farm Service Agency Vermont State Office

Producers Impacted: 463
Corn Acres Damaged: 6,029
Soybean Acres Damaged: 225
Hay Acres Damaged: 6,508
Fruit/Vegetable Acres Damaged: 497
Pasture Acres Damaged: 1,752
Maple Acres Wind Damaged: 1,032
Acres of Land Damaged: 9,348

All fourteen counties of Vermont were affected.  The largest numbers of agricultural producers affected were in Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor counties.  FSA is continuing to tabulate agricultural damage with field assistance from Conservation Districts, VACD, UVM Extension, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, NRCS, and others.  All agricultural producers are encouraged to report damage and losses.  This information is being used to seek financial assistance from Washington and the Vermont Legislature, as well as to inform land use policy discussions.

Flood Recovery Assistance Programs

FSA Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). The USDA Farm Service Agency is now accepting applications for the ECP program.  The deadline is November 23rd.  The ECP Program rehabilitates farmland damaged by natural disasters through emergency conservation practices such as debris removal and restoring fences and conservation structures.  Contact your local FSA County Office for more information about ECP and other FSA disaster assistance programs.  Click here for the ECP fact sheet.

Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund. This fund, established by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and the Vermont Community Foundation (VCF) provides assistance to farmers who have suffered damage from Tropical Storm Irene.  VCF has already awarded over $600,000 to farmers through this fund and has just announced a fourth grant round, with deadline of December 2nd.  Click here to read the press release, and click here for a copy of the application.

VEDA Hurricane Irene Assistance Loan Program. Governor Shumlin has announced $10m in recovery assistance loans though the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA).  VEDA is providing low-interest loans of up to $100,000 (with collateral) for loss of feed, seed, fertilizer, fuel, crop supplies, livestock, machinery, equipment and inventory, as well as for storm-related repairs to land, buildings and machinery.  VEDA is also providing loans to non-agricultural businesses.  The loans will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.  Visit the VEDA website for more information.

NOFA Farmer Emergency Fund. This fund was established by the Northeast Organic Farmers Association (NOFA) in 1997 to assist farmers after natural and unnatural disasters such as Tropical Storm Irene.  Visit the NOFA website for more information.

Vermont Farm Fund Emergency Loan Program. This fund, established by Pete’s Greens in partnership with the Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE), is providing 0% interest loans to assist farmers affected by Tropical Storm Irene.  For more information, visit the CAE website.

Additional Funds to support agricultural recovery are being set up at the local level, such as in the Mad River Valley and the Intervale.  Contact your local community organizations for more information about these programs.

Additional Valuable Information is Available at these Websites:

UVM Extension

Vermont Agency of Agriculture

Vermont Agency of Natural Resources

Vermont Governor's Office

USDA Farm Service Agency

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service