‘We want them to thrive’: Supporters rally, raise a brew for valley farmers

By CHRIS LARABEE

Staff Writer

Published: 08-22-2023 8:22 PM

SOUTH DEERFIELD — As donations flow into the Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund, community and state and federal officials let the beer flow Monday night in an effort to raise more money for farmers affected by July’s rainstorms.

Dozens of supporters packed Berkshire Brewing Co. as U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern joined Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, several members of the western Massachusetts legislative delegation, local farmers, residents and other leaders from Franklin and Hampshire counties to raise money for the resiliency fund, with a portion of the price of each beverage going to the relief effort.

“At the end of the day, what matters is how much we raise; how much we can give our farmers, not just to survive, but we want them to thrive,” McGovern said. “We will be wind in your back, we will always be there for you, we will keep fighting for you.”

Among those sponsoring Monday’s fundraiser were McGovern, state Sens. Jo Comerford and Paul Mark; Reps. Natalie Blais, Dan Carey, Mindy Domb, Lindsay Sabadosa, Aaron Saunders and Susannah Whipps.

The Farm Resiliency Fund was created by the United Way of Central Massachusetts and Gov. Maura Healey’s administration and has already raised $2 million. Now the goal is to raise $5 million, said Philip Korman, executive director of Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture.

Speaking after McGovern, Driscoll said the trips she, Healey and other state officials took to survey the damage were “heartbreaking” and feedback from farmers has been clear.

“We’re working hard to make sure we can develop resources for this fund, and that we have some state pockets we can dip into as well,” Driscoll said. “We’re interested in making sure we’re supporting what the needs are now, with an eye toward the future … Gov. Healey and I are with you for the long journey and the short one.”

On top of the philanthropic fund, the Legislature also passed a $20 million supplemental budget earlier this month, which was pushed by several area officials, including Comerford. Applications for this funding are expected to open soon and it will be administered by the Department of Agricultural Resources to compensate farmers for crop losses.

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Comerford said both the Resiliency Fund and the supplemental budget are a result of teamwork between the government at all levels and it is essential everyone continues to support farmers, who put food on the table for so many people across Massachusetts.

“This is the best of government, friends,” Comerford said. “Local, state and federal working together and partnered with community. It doesn’t always happen, but when it happens in western Massachusetts, it sends ripples throughout the state.”

Before the event, Korman said the response from Massachusetts residents and their officials has been stronger than he’s ever seen to any sort of farm emergencies.

“I have never seen such a response by both the community at large, elected officials and an administration,” Korman said. “Everyone has authentically understood … and it’s all hands on deck.”

Applications to the Farm Resiliency Fund are now open and the deadline to apply for the first round of funding is this Friday. Money is expected to go out the door on Sept. 1. Farms with gross sales of $10,000 or more that were affected by July’s storms are eligible.

To donate to the farm resiliency fund, visit unitedwaycm.org/farmfund, where donations can be made by credit card. Checks can be made out to the United Way of Massachusetts, 18 Chestnut St., Suite 530, Worcester MA 01608. Donations are also accepted through Venmo at @UnitedWayCM.

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