By Lisa Goodrich, CISA Communications Coordinator
Locally, residents have felt the impacts of climate change this year with cold snaps in February and May, smoky days from wildfires, and heavy rain and catastrophic flooding in July.
“As farmers, we’re on the front lines of climate change,” Red Fire Farm co-owner Sarah Voiland explains. “After excessive rain in 2021 and drought in 2022, 2023 began with losing peaches in February, then losing apples and pears in May. This weather leaves us wondering, ‘what will happen next?’”
The temperature extremes that eliminated fruit crops at Montague’s Red Fire Farm were widespread, impacting grapes, blueberries, and tree fruits. Other farms saw devastation from flooding and heavy rains. Conway’s Natural Roots Farm and over 100 other Massachusetts farms were flooded in mid-July.
Natural Roots farmer David Fisher reflects, “The weather this summer has been unprecedented. We were in emergency flood response mode for July and still have a lot of work to do before returning to growing vegetables. The magnitude of these weather events and the power of the flooding we’ve experienced brings a lot of perspective on this moment, as a community, and ultimately as humans on earth.”
The public response to these events was swift and impressive. Volunteers dug out farms covered by mud, individuals contributed generously to crowd-funding campaigns, and two new funds were established at the state level, offering farm disaster assistance now and in the future. These include $20M included in a state supplemental budget and the public/private Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund. A federal disaster declaration allows low-interest federal loans. Additionally, CISA opened our Emergency Farm Fund, offering no-interest loans up to $25,000, in partnership with the Franklin County CDC. To participate in these efforts, find donation opportunities at buylocalfood.org.
“Farms need a nimble and robust emergency response system so when crisis hits, they receive the support needed to keep growing food for the communities they serve,” said CISA’s Executive Director Philip Korman. “The multi-layered response to this summer’s disasters provides a blueprint for the future.”
Fisher adds, “Given that farms are essential for our survival, supporting our farms is essential for our collective future. The magnitude of the weather events we’re experiencing is far greater than any farm can bear on its own. Farms need support when we have food to offer, and when our crops are decimated, if we are to keep feeding our communities.”
Want to learn more?
- See ways to support local farms through climate change at buylocalfood.org/climateaction
- Attend a Climate Change and Farming Week Event, hosted by CISA and partners (Like meeting Sarah Voiland at “Local Farming in the Climate Crisis,” in Greenfield on Sunday, September 17, 11am-12:30pm, at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew.
Voiland notes, “This is an opportunity for people to get involved in supporting agriculture’s future. There’s huge potential for farming to be part of the climate solution. Starting with the current Farm Bill, Massachusetts is poised to help lead the national conversation about farming and climate change.”
Lisa Goodrich is communications coordinator for Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, (CISA). Learn more about local farms, food, and markets in our online guide at buylocalfood.org.