NOFA-VT’s Farmer Emergency Fund supports organic and NOFA-VT member farmers who have been adversely affected by natural and unnatural disasters, such as crop failure, extreme weather, flooding, fire, or barn collapse. The Farmer Emergency Fund provides grants and zero percent interest loans to farmers in need as funds are available.
There is a growing concern from dairy farmers about what will happen if they get sick with COVID-19 and cannot work. The average age of dairy farmers is almost 60 in Vermont, putting these crucial food providers at increased risk of the disease. Many dairy operations are run by one or two farmers, often in the same family. Dairy farmers are already economically stressed, and we need to show up and stand by our state's farmers at this challenging time. Milking is not the type of work that can pause for a week or two.
NOFA-VT is seeking to build a list of people skilled enough to lead milkings on farms for the duration of the sickness. NOFA-VT will make funds available through our Farmer Emergency Fund to pay the relief workers. (If you are not a skilled dairy worker, but you are wanting to show up for Vermont's farmers, please make a donation to there Farmer Emergency Fund.
If you have experience working on dairy farms, and are willing to show up for our community in this way, please respond to Bill Cavanaugh on our Farmer Services team: bill@nofavt.org, with your contact information, relevant experience on dairy farms, availability, and location. Again, you will be paid for your time and crucial service.
