Page 65 - BusinessWest August 7, 2023

for addressing flood relief in a timely manner. “Our founda- tion remains committed to providing support to those farms impacted by the recent floods along the Connecticut River Valley and others to which we and our partners have provided support over the past nine years.”
Local legislators were quick to praise the joint effort between government and philanthropic community.
“Farms throughout Western Massachusetts have been devastated by the recent flooding in our region, and the full scale of damage is unfortunately expected to grow even more,” state Sen. John Velis said. “The flooding has decimated folks’ businesses, jeopardized their livelihoods, and has had a tre- mendous impact on our Commonwealth’s agricultural sector and our food supply as a whole. I am grateful to the Healey- Driscoll Administration, UWCM, and all the philanthropic and private foundations for their fast work in creating the Farm Resiliency Fund and for their commitment to helping our farmers get back on their feet.”
State Rep. Natalie Blais agreed. “Following the devasta- tion caused by recent rains and flooding, the Healey-Driscoll administration stood with us, in our fields, to hear directly from farmers,” she said. “I am profoundly grateful to our com- munity for coming together to support farms across the state, and for Governor Healey’s commitment to the long-term sus- tainability of agriculture and our local food systems.”
Tim Garvin, president and CEO of United Way of Central Massachusetts, called the new fund “a most beautiful demon- stration of real partnership, united in compassion and united in purpose to support and assist our farmers,” adding that he is hopeful that many will be inspired to contribute.
“As someone who sees the devastating impacts of the recent flooding every day, I am extremely grateful for the quick efforts of the Healey-Driscoll administration and the United Way of Central Massachusetts to put the Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund in place,” state Sen. Jo Comerford said. “We must continue to take concrete steps to help the farmers who so desperately need our quick action and sustained efforts to
help in their recovery.”
Comerford also praised the state Senate the following
week for passing a $513 million supplemental budget for FY 2023 that includes $20 million in assistance for farms throughout the Commonwealth impacted by recent severe weather events.
“These public funds will go out as direct grants,” she explained. “That’s money in the pockets of farmers who have experienced a massive hardship in the wake of the extreme flooding earlier this month and the frosts and freezes this past spring.”
Other organizations have stepped up to help as well, such as UMassFive College Federal Credit Union, which recently announced a donation to aid local farms impacted by the flooding, including Natural Roots Farm, Mountain View farm, Pepin Farm, Community Care Apothecary, Song Sparrow Farm, Stone Soup Farm, New Community Farming Coopera- tive, World Farmers’ Flats Mentor Farm, and the Grow Food Northampton Community Farm.
“We are deeply connected to our community and our mem- bers, and we understand the critical role that local farms and local food play in our lives,” said Craig Boivin, vice president of Marketing at UMassFive. “Our donation to the local farms impacted by the floods is an expression of our gratitude and commitment to helping our neighbors in their time of need.”
As for the Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund, all funds will be distributed rapidly by the United Way through a delib- erate selection process. More information about the fund can be found at unitedwaycm.org/farmfund.
“For generations, our farms have been part of our cultural heritage and the fabric of our local communities,” Massachu- setts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle said. “As heartbreaking as it has been to see our farming community hit hard, I’m truly inspired to see the community step up and rally around our farmers with this partnership that will bring much-needed relief.” BW
“The flooding has decimated folks’ businesses, jeopardized their livelihoods, and has had a tremendous impact on our Commonwealth’s agricultural sector and our food supply as a whole.”
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