Ice Storm Farm Relief Fund Update
Tree breaking under the weight of ice from the storm.
In the spring, we launched a crowdfunding campaign to support farmers impacted by the disastrous ice storm that hit Northern Michigan. Thanks to the generous support from 77 individual donors, in addition to funds from three local community foundations (Petoskey & Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, Charlevoix County Community Foundation, and Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan), we were able to distribute nearly $30,000 to farms impacted by the storm. This effort put much-needed funds into the pockets of farmers when they needed it most.
The funds have been distributed to the following ten farms throughout the impacted region: Fiddlehead Farm, Keiser Family Homestead, Northern Lights Farm, Heart’s Pasture, Alpine Forest Farm, Blackbird Gardens, Wilhelps Field of Dreams, Lakeside Farm, Home Comfort Farm, and Bixel Family Farm.
These funds supported downed tree cleanup efforts, allowed farms to rebuild fencing, covered the costs of running generators for long periods of time, replaced lost plants, animals, feed, and more.
We have heard from each and every farm how much this support impacted their ability to recover from the storm and continue production. Here are just a few of the stories we’ve heard from these local farms.
“Thank you so much for all of the help you have given us and other farmers who struggled after the ice storm. We lost our 100+ year-old apple trees, but planted new ones to feed generations to come. We lost our entire started nursery of plants as well as the chicks and eggs in our incubators, but we were able to replace and nurture new babies bought from local organic sources. We had significant fence and structural damages and with your help yet again we were able to restore what once was. Or as close as we can get.. We still work daily at restoration efforts and will work to overcome reminders and remnants of that horrific storm for years to come. We are so thankful for what we were able to accomplish with your generosity. Our family is fed and our livestock are safe thanks to you.”
Keiser Family Homestead in Levering
“I am beyond grateful! The love shines so bright and brings calm after the storm and instills a deep we’re-in-this-together feeling when times sometimes seem so cruel. The progress we were able to make in recovery with the grant received was certainly impactful. We were able to cover a portion of the livestock fence/gate repairs and replace a few livestock feed items.”
Northern Lights Farm in Gaylord
“The remaining grant funds will be used for cleanup. There are still hundreds of widow makers, some still close to buildings and within our animal enclosures, posing potential danger to us and our livestock. We have acres of debris to climb through or walk around that need to be removed so our animals can forage freely.”
Hearts Pasture Farm in Alanson
A huge thank you to everyone who supported this project. When the community comes together to support those who are struggling, we all benefit from the resilience that is built.