
MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Flooding this past summer combined with other severe weather caused nearly $70 million in damage to Vermont farms, according to a new report released Wednesday.
The Vermont Agriculture Recovery Task Force’s Extreme Weather Impact & Recovery report details some of the greatest impacts on farmers, from a severe shortage of feed crops due to flooding to fruit and berry crops lost in a hard frost in late May.
The report found that 70% of those surveyed had no crop or livestock insurance to cover their losses.
The task force was established in August to coordinate recovery efforts, compile data, as well as provide recommendations to improve the state’s response in the future.
Related Stories:
Local non-profit supports farmers’ mental health after flooding
Excess manure causing problems for Vermont farmers
Christmas tree crop hurt by soggy summer
Cannabis growers’ flood relief fund has raised $10K
Even with dry weather, many farm fields remain sodden
USDA designates Vermont a natural disaster area from July flooding