HOUGHTON LAKE —Multiple counties in Northeastern Lower Michigan experienced a disastrous ice storm in late March. Damage reports from local farmers have been staggering: entire plantings and livestock lost, miles of fencing down, maple forests for syruping destroyed, and debris hindering future farming efforts.
With farmer livelihoods under threat, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology, Northeast Michigan Healthy Food Initiative (NEMI-HFI), and the Local Food Alliance have partnered for a fundraiser to help the northern region’s farmers recover.
“The damage has been compared to a category 5 hurricane,” says Kevin Donner, Emmet county farmer and member of the Local Food Alliance. “So many farms struggled through this, and some lost everything. It was clear to me immediately that our farmers needed help.”
Nearly everyone living in the 12 affected counties—including Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties—suffered damage of some kind. Damage estimates currently range from $200 million to $300 million and are expected to climb.
“Northeastern Lower Michigan farmers produce many of the items that we feed our families on small operations, orchards, market gardens in the region. Between the extensive power loss and the physical damage from the storm, some farmers’ livelihoods have been seriously threatened”, said Kristine Ranger, NEMI-HFI Co-Director. “Maple syrup producers have been devastated. Farms have lost not only products for this season but also future sources of income because of extensive tree damage”, she continued.
The Community Foundation of NEMI has generously donated funds to help with ongoing relief efforts. Farmers in Alpena, Alcona, Montmorency and Presque Isle counties interested in applying for up to $1500 can do so by contacting her at [email protected] to access the application form or get technical assistance in applying.
Any farm impacted by the ice storm is eligible to apply for funding to cover costs associated with recovery. This includes but is not limited to, income loss, product loss, infrastructure damage, and staff time for cleanup. Funding priority will be given to farms that generate income that sustains farming as a livelihood and profession and funds are limited.
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