|
Northeast farms took an especially brutal hit in this week’s extreme weather event. In western Mass, some of the most fertile soil in the state can be found along the banks of the Connecticut river—home to Hadley Grass—and many of the small farms that feed us are situated along those banks. This week’s flooding took whole crops of sweet corn and green peppers, acres upon acres of vegetables just ready for harvest. "The [U.S. Department of Agriculture] has loan assistance, but no direct assistance for farmers who have lost crops," Rep. Natalie Blais of Franklin County told WBUR. "It’s heartbreaking to talk with farmers who give so much of themselves to the land and to their communities. It’s heartbreaking to see." Because of contamination, “if a vegetable touched the water, it has to die.” Vermont’s apocalyptic floods made national headlines: Millions of dollars of damage is expected for farms across the state. Our neighbors and friends at Edible Vermont, Edible Hudson Valley and Edible Westchester are in our thoughts. As are our Pioneer Valley neighbors and farmer friends. Want to help them recover? The NOFA Farmer Emergency Fund is accepting donations, and we’ll be donating 20% of all Edible Boston subscriptions sold from now thru August 28th to this fund. If you don’t already subscribe, now’s a great time to start; and if you do, well, Thank You! Can you think of a friend or relative who might want one, too? But the best thing you can do is just keep buying local. We know you will. -Rachel Caldwell, Newsletter Editor
|
