Farmer Climate Relief Fund

Farmer Climate Relief Fund

Funder: Sharing Our Roots (MN, US)

Overview: A community-sustained emergency relief fund established to help emerging and immigrant farmers recover from climate disasters and extreme weather events. 100% of donations go directly to affected farmers to offset economic losses from climate-related crop failures and damages.

Geographic Scope

• Dakota and Rice Counties, Minnesota
• Serves 200+ immigrant, BIPOC, & LGBTQ+ farmers and gardeners

Eligibility

• Immigrant farmers
• BIPOC farmers
• LGBTQ+ farmers
• Emerging farmers
• Farmers with Sharing Our Roots (primary focus)

Focus Areas

Provides financial relief for:
• Crop failures from climate disasters
• Lost revenue from market sales
• Lost agricultural inputs
• Impacts from drought
• Impacts from historic flooding
• Other climate-related economic losses

Recent Crisis Context

• June 2024: Dakota County received 17 inches of rain (wettest spring on record)
• Historic flooding in southern Minnesota
• Reported farmer impacts: $3,500-$40,000 per farmer in losses
• Losses include crop failures, lost inputs, lost revenue, and labor costs
• Crop insurance inaccessible to most participating farmers

Program Details

• Addresses inequitable governmental crop insurance policies
• Recognizes increasing frequency and severity of climate disasters
• Builds culture of commoning and shared economy
• Creates community-sustained safety net for local growers
• Donations from foundations, community members, consumers, and families
• No repayment required

What's Needed

• Direct support to farmers facing insurmountable losses
• Sustained safety net for future climate events
• Community commitment to supporting immigrant and emerging farmers

Contact Information

• Address: 4905 315th St. W, Northfield, MN 55057
• Farm Phone: (507) 323-5587
• Office Phone: (507) 323-5588
• Email: info@sharing-our-roots.org

Organization Background

• 501(c)3 non-profit
• Community-supported organization
• Mission to support immigrant, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ farmers
• Committed to food sovereignty and farm viability