Emergency Relief Funds for Farmers

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Emergency Relief Funds for Farmers in the Great Lakes region from Farm Aid and Other Great Lakes Organizations

Emergency relief funds are available for farms in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Family farmers in the Great Lakes region impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can now access much-needed relief. 

Farm Aid, in partnership with Great Lakes area organizations, is awarding $500 emergency relief grants to help farmers meet household expenses. Families who rely on farming for their income and are experiencing hardship as a result of the pandemic are encouraged to complete an application. 

Applications are reviewed as they are received and because there is a finite amount of funding available, farmers in need are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed by a state committee that includes advocates and other agricultural professionals. 

Approval is based on the applicant qualifying as a family farm and demonstrating economic loss. The online application opens June 6 at  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FarmAidCOVIDGreatLakes

Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on the land. Dave Matthews joined the Farm Aid Board of Directors in 2001. Farm Aid has raised $57 million to promote a strong and resilient family farm system of agriculture. Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to keep family farmers on the land.

Since 1985, Farm Aid has answered 1-800-FARM-AID to provide immediate and effective support services to farm families in crisis. Now Farm Aid’s online Farmer Resource Network connects farmers to an extensive network of organizations across the country that help farmers find the resources they need to access new markets, transition to more sustainable and profitable farming practices, and survive natural disasters.

 

• Learn about the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program which provides direct payments for farmers at https://www.beginningfarmers.org/cfap-direct-farmer-aid-program/