Devastating Farms and Crops: Northeast Flooding Wreaks Havoc

**Heartbreak for Farmers as Flooding Wipes Out Crops**

**Severe Flooding Devastates Northeast Farms**
Severe flooding in the Northeast has dealt a devastating blow to farmers at an inopportune time. The floods occurred when many plants were still too early to harvest, but now it’s too late to replant in the region’s shortened growing season. These floods, which dumped up to two months’ worth of rain in just a few days, have been declared Vermont’s worst natural disaster since 1927. Climate change is believed to be a contributing factor to these extreme weather events.

**Organic Farms Suffer Significant Losses**
One of the affected farms is Diggers’ Mirth Collective Farm in Burlington, Vermont, which estimated a loss of crops valued at $250,000. The Intervale Center, where Diggers’ Mirth is located, managed 350 acres of land in the area and understood the risk of flooding. In an effort to salvage as much as possible, the center mobilized volunteers to harvest crops before the floods hit. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, all seven farms at the center suffered significant losses.

**Losses Extend to Animal Farms and Flower Farms**
The flooding didn’t just impact vegetable and fruit farms. Maple Wind Farm, which raises pasture-raised animals in Richmond, Vermont, also experienced losses. The farm owners believed their turkeys would be safe from flooding, but the nearby Winooski River reached heights they had never anticipated. While some animals were saved, a significant number were lost. In addition, flower farms saw their crops destroyed, and blueberry bushes needed for pick-your-own operations were submerged and rendered useless.

**Hard Decisions and Far-Reaching Consequences**
The flooding forced farmers into difficult situations. Dairy farmers were forced to dump milk because roads to processing plants were impassable. The loss of corn, a key food source for the dairy industry, further compounded the problem. Thousands of acres of farmland were underwater or flattened, making it unusable. Massachusetts also experienced significant damage, with at least 75 farms affected and crop losses valued at a minimum of $15 million. Damaged farms ranged from community farms to large-scale operations with hundreds of acres of lost crops.

**The Need for Assistance and Increased Resilience**
The extent of the damage caused by the floods requires a coordinated effort to provide financial aid and support. Efforts in Massachusetts include the establishment of the Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund, which is a partnership between philanthropic organizations and private foundations. Connecticut also suffered significant flooding, impacting roughly 2,000 acres of farmland. The state’s agriculture commissioner highlighted the broader environmental crisis caused by these extreme weather events.

**Loss of Livelihood and Uncertain Future**
Farmers affected by the floods face the loss of their livelihoods. Crops have been ruined for the current year, leaving farmers to face financial and emotional challenges. Farms have lost wholesale accounts, labor force, and acres of crops. Pennsylvania farmers are also on high alert, as excessive rainfall can cause soil erosion and crop damage.

**Conclusion**
Severe flooding in the Northeast region has devastated farmers, wiping out crops and causing significant financial losses. Climate change is believed to have contributed to these extreme weather events, and the additional warming predicted for the future only exacerbates the situation. The affected farmers are in urgent need of financial aid and support to recover from this natural disaster and build resilience for the future.