Extreme rain and flooding has devastated farms in Western CT.
Here are a few of the available resources to assist with the impacts from these losses.
There is no doubt that this is a challenging time - if the impacts of the flood damage and losses are causing you, your farm family, or farm workers increased stress or negatively impacting your mental health, resources are available at www.CTFarmStressRelief.org.
For immediate crisis help, call or text 833-897-2474 or please dial 2-1-1 and speak to a Community Resource Specialist that can connect you to help.
Connecticut Department of Agriculture
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has compiled the following resources to assist agricultural producers as they navigate these challenges.
Contact CT DOAG:
Email: AGR.disaster@ct.gov
Phone: 860-713-2500
https://portal.ct.gov/disaster
In an effort to better understand the scope of the situation, Connecticut Department of Agriculture is asking producers to share estimated losses with us through our online reporting tool. This data will be shared with USDA Farm Service Agency and UConn Extension. By filling out this information it will assist these entities in determining if a disaster declaration can be obtained. Your farm name and contact information is not required, but if you would like to be contacted, please share that.
https://www.cognitoforms.com/CTDoAg/August2024FloodLossDamageSurvey
Connecticut State Animal Response Team
The Connecticut State Animal Response Team (CTSART) program is a collaboration among government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, industry, and volunteers for preparing and responding to animal needs in disasters. The CTSART program and the 5 Regional Animal Response Teams may be available to assist you with your animals, however, in a disaster there will be many in need and we cannot reliably predict whether we will be available to assist you or that we will have the resources needed for your situation.
Region 5 Contact Information
Dr. Donna Cobelli region5ctsart@gmail.com
CT Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Region 5. It is important to report farm infrastructure losses to the local emergency response team as the info will ladder up in the state's Emergency Management System and be included in any FEMA request.
Contact Mike Devine, Chairman
203-266-7696 x 301 or 203-733-4080 or michaeljdevine@sbcglobal.net
United State Department of Agriculture
USDA Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool. Learn about USDA disaster assistance programs that might be right for you.
https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/disaster-tool
New Haven County Farm Service Agency
97 Barnes Road
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 269-6665
Contact your county FSA office and fill out a crop loss report. This benefits your region because it helps to document the extent of damage to crops in your county which will determine eligibility for federal disaster aid. It will benefit you by establishing what level of damage you sustained. You do not need to have crop insurance to be eligible for disaster aid should your county be eligible. The state FSA office can link you to counties: phone 413-253-4500 or find county office listings online. USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) will be submitting documentation for federal emergency assistance. One program that may become available is the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) which provides emergency funding and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Hamden Service Center
Contact Natural Resource Conservation Service to explore financial and technical assistance to assist with soil erosion and more. Existing contracts with practices damaged under a disaster may be eligible for assistance.
Diane Blais
diane.blais@usda.gov
(203) 287-8038
51 Mill Pond Rd
Hamden, CT 06514
UCONN Cooperative Extension
Quick Guide to Flood Food Safety for Fruit and Vegetable Farmers
https://publications.extension.uconn.edu/publication/flood-foodsafety-farmers/
Agricultural Disasters Security
https://eden.uconn.edu/agricultural/
Food Safety for Flooded Farms
https://foodsafety.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3280/2022/01/Food-Safety-for-Flooded-Farms.pdf
Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. Their vision is to support humanity and build resiliency for vulnerable communities across the world. After disasters, vulnerable communities need help clearing roadways, removing debris, and setting a new foundation for a stronger community. When the streets are clear and dry, their work has only just begun. They remain in affected areas to support ongoing recovery projects and build more resilient communities on the other side.
Team Rubicon Headquarters telephone number is: (310) 640-8787
https://teamrubiconusa.org/how-we-serve/disaster-response/
Veterans Emergency Assistance
Veterans Emergency Assistance through Disabled American Veterans. In 2023, DAV provided nearly $727 thousand to more than 1,000 veterans affected by natural disasters, including hurricanes, tornados, floods and fires throughout 21 states. The kits—which include backpacks, blankets and hygiene kits—provide an additional resource for safety, relief, and self-sufficiency in an extended emergency, disaster or evacuation. The hygiene kit includes basic necessities like a toothbrush and toothpaste, razors and shaving cream, hand sanitizer, deodorant, shampoo and soap.
Disabled American Veterans Department of Connecticut
80 Hall Avenue, Suite 801
Meriden, CT 06450
Phone: 203-440-4440
Fax: 203-440-4329
https://www.dav.org/get-help-now/veteran-topics-resources/disaster-relief/
Disaster Assistance Improvement Program
The Disaster Assistance Improvement Program’s (DAIP) mission is to provide disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance through joint data-sharing efforts between federal, tribal, state, local, and private sector partners.
https://www.disasterassistance.gov/information/veterans
Food and Drug Administration Guidance for Evaluating the Safety of Affected Food Crops Post Flood
Address: 915 Lafayette Blvd #110, Bridgeport, CT 06604
Phone: (203) 579-5822
Frequently Asked Questions about Handling Flooded Produce University of Vermont Extension
https://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/factsheets/Flooded_Produce_FAQ.pdf
American Farmland Trust New England Resource Directory
https://farmland.org/new-england-resource-directory-for-farmers/
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X3Xqe7rPl7ontdXwq10FABBvG66T4EJW899dWr3hnwg/edit