CISA Emergency Farm Fund
Donate to the fund.
The CISA Emergency Farm Fund was launched in 2011 in partnership with Whole Foods Market and Equity Trust, in response to the damage suffered by farms in western Massachusetts due to Hurricane Irene. The Fund offered zero-interest loans to assist farmers and farm businesses struggling to meet their immediate needs in the aftermath of the storm and flooding.
The Fund distributed $93,000 in zero-interest loans during 2012, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, to eleven farms impacted by the storm.
The Fund was re-opened to aid Pioneer Valley farms damaged by the blizzard of February 8, 2013. During this second round of funding, the fund made loans to three farms, totaling $30,000. Read the press release.
The fund is now dormant and will reopen in the future when local farms face a similar emergency situation.
Decisions:
Decisions are made within 15 business days of receiving an application by a team of people from a variety of agricultural backgrounds. Loan monies will be received after completion of a signed loan agreement and promissory note.
Loan Amount and Rate:
From $5,000 to $10,000 at a 0% interest rate, full repayment is expected within three years, on a schedule determined on a case-by-case basis. First payment can begin one year from receipt of loan monies.
Who May Apply:
Loan applications will be accepted from farm owners who have experienced loss or damage as a result of the blizzard of Feb 8, 2013; reside and operate in the counties of Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties of western Massachusetts; and, whose gross annual sales for 2012 are $20,000 or more. If your farm did not gross $20,000 or more in sales, please contact CISA for more information.
About CISA’s Emergency Farm Fund Loan Committee:
The Loan Review Committee includes a team of people with a variety of agricultural backgrounds and will include representatives from CISA staff and board, Whole Foods Market; Equity Trust; Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources; and farmers.
APPLICATION: