Granite State Farmers Have Faced Unprecedented Climate Impacts This Year – the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire is Trying to Help
"An unusually late frost, and hard freeze in parts of New Hampshire in late May. Severe flooding, plus more flash flood warnings this July than ever before on record in the state. Over 10 inches of rain in some New Hampshire counties in July alone. Peach and apple crops wiped out, roads destroyed, field crops flooded, infrastructure damaged. This year has been exceptionally challenging for Granite State growers, and many are struggling to recoup from unprecedented losses.
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH) has been conducting a 2023 climate impacts survey for NH farmers to better understand the effects this extreme weather has had on agricultural operations. Farmers across the state have experienced crop losses, building damage, land erosion, access issues, equipment damage, soil compaction, fertility loss, and more with virtually no support at the state or federal levels to make up for these losses. One farmer shared that this year was “...hands down the worst year for the farm and the worst weather I've ever experienced over such an extended period of time.”
Another shared, “Every year is a different struggle regarding changing climate. We all need to be aware of what is happening.”
Vermont farms were hit even harder, with a reported total loss estimated at over 12 million dollars statewide. The relief response, however, was swifter and wider than New Hampshire’s. With funds like the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) Farmer Emergency Fund and Vermont Farm Fund, hundreds of farmers received grants and loans in the immediate weeks and months following catastrophic flooding along the Connecticut River Valley this past summer.
No such funds existed for New Hampshire producers. To best meet the needs of Granite State Farmers, NOFA-NH established a Farmer Relief Fund. Together with grantors like Farm Aid, Stonyfield, and 35 + individual donors, they raised nearly $29,000 for farmers affected by extreme climate events of 2023. Their hope is to continue this fund annually to support farmers in implementing organic practices that help mitigate climate change by building soil health, supporting biodiversity, strengthening ecosystems, and more.
“Having worked on a farm and experienced the negative impacts of climate that seem to be intensifying in recent years, this season was enough to push any farm over the edge,” NOFA-NH's Board President, Julie Davenson, explains. “Margins are slim for most farmers and there isn’t much cushion. These extreme weather events can be discouraging, especially for new farmers just starting out. Unlike other states in New England, New Hampshire didn’t seek to establish an emergency fund. These farmers were here for us during COVID. The NOFA-NH board and staff decided to ask our community to rally on their behalf to raise funds for farmer relief. And thankfully the community showed up! We are pleased to be able to offer these funds, while modest in scope, and hope at the very least, the funds will take the edge off a challenging growing season.”
Applications are now open for NOFA-NH's Farmer Relief Fund. New Hampshire crop and livestock farmers who have been impacted by frost, freeze, and flood events of 2023 and have suffered hardship and financial loss as a result are eligible to apply for grants. Funds are reserved for certified organic New Hampshire farms or NOFA-NH member farms that have the highest need. Farms do not have to be certified organic to apply for funding or to become NOFA-NH members. Low and no cost membership scholarships are available to farms if membership fees are a barrier to applying. Applications will be accepted through November 5, 2023.
“Supporting farmers through times of hardship is critical to NOFA-NH’s mission of building a local, just, and sustainable food system for current and future generations in New Hampshire and beyond,” said Nikki Kolb, NOFA-NH’s Operations Director. “We are deeply grateful to Granite State farmers for nourishing our community year after year, and equally thankful to our generous donors, members, and partners for rallying to meet the needs of our state’s essential farms, families, and businesses.” "
