Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund

Geographic Scope: Central and Western Massachusetts, serving farms across 11 states that donated

Focus Areas:

• Emergency relief for farms impacted by catastrophic flooding (July 2023)
• Long-term farm resiliency strengthening
• Recovery support for crop losses and farm infrastructure damage

Background:
Launched in July 2023 by Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll in partnership with the United Way of Central Massachusetts. The devastating floods of July 2023 impacted at least 148 farms with over 2,700 acres in crop losses valued at a minimum of $15 million.

Funding:

• Total Raised: $3,225,997
• Donors: 713 donors from 185 towns and cities across 11 states
• Distribution: Two rounds of funding dispersed to 294 Massachusetts farms (September and October 2023)
• Phase 1: Equal distribution to 214 applicants meeting minimum loss threshold
• Phase 2: Distribution based on overall farm needs

Eligible Recipients:

• Massachusetts farms impacted by recent severe weather/flooding
• Minimum threshold of loss required for Phase 1

Partners:

• Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell ($10,000 from settlements)
• Eastern States Exposition
• Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
• Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)
• Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation
• Liberty Mutual Foundation
• MassMutual Foundation
• Granite Telecommunications