Bennington, Vermont News
Bennington County Farmers Set to Receive $31.7 Million in Federal Disaster Aid
The grant money tied to the 2023 and 2024 floods “should be moving out,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told Sen. Peter Welch at a Senate hearing today. Read the story on VTDigger here: Feds approve $31.7 million in disaster aid…
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Key points
- Bennington County farmers will receive $31.7 million in federal disaster aid.
- The funding aims to address losses from the 2023 and 2024 floods.
- Local farmers can expect more information on how to apply for assistance soon.
MONTPELIER, Vt. NewsWK — Farmers in Bennington County and throughout Vermont will soon receive a significant boost as they recover from the damaging floods of 2023 and 2024, thanks to $31.7 million in federal disaster aid. This funding, confirmed by U.S. Senator Peter Welch, is part of a broader initiative to assist those facing severe agricultural losses.
Details of the Financial Support
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this vital financial assistance during a Senate committee hearing. Senator Welch had previously inquired about Vermont’s request for disaster relief, leading to the official approval of the aid. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins confirmed that this funding is critical for farmers with limited access to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) resources, addressing infrastructure damage, crop losses, and other market impacts resulting from the floods.
State Support and Next Steps
Anson Tebbetts, Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture, highlighted the importance of this funding, stating it will help farmers “sustain damages” caused by the recent severe weather. Governor Phil Scott also contributed to securing these funds through his leadership during the disaster response efforts. Douglas Farnham, the state’s chief recovery officer, expressed optimism about the process of securing authorization from the Vermont Legislative Joint Fiscal Committee to accept the USDA funds, noting, “I think they’ll be excited about it as well.”
Ongoing Recovery Efforts
While this funding marks a significant advancement, Vermont is still grappling with over $350 million in unmet needs from the storm. The state is also anticipating an additional $31 million in relief for wastewater and municipal facilities. Tebbetts mentioned that preparations are underway for an application process, ensuring that farmers can access the necessary assistance. For local farmers in Bennington, this aid is a crucial lifeline as they work to rebuild and recover from the floods’ impacts.
Residents can expect further updates regarding how to apply for these funds in the coming weeks, as the community comes together to support its farmers during this challenging time.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Based on reporting originally published by VTDigger. Read the original story.
