WC Minnesota News

Sen. Torrey Westrom recently introduced a fund that will benefit farmers during the COVID-19-induced economic crisis.

In a recent Facebook post, Westrom introduced the American Farmland Trust’s Farmer Relief Fund to his constituents.

“The American Farmland Trust has created a charitable program to benefit farmers impacted by COVID-19,” Westrom said. “One hundred percent of the donations go straight to farmers. This is a great start-up for small to midsize farms.” 

According to American Farmland Trust (AFT), the novel coronavirus pandemic is positioned to severely and negatively impact businesses around the nation, but one of the most at-risk industries is that of agriculture and farming, including farmers and ranchers that primarily sell their products through farmers markets and to restaurants, schools and other institutions.

AFT referenced a study that estimated a loss of $1.3 billion between March and May 2020 in the local and regional food systems. In order to address the harm that could come from this crisis, the AFT created the Farmer Relief Fund.

AFT’s Farmer Relief Fund will issue cash grants of up to $1,000 to farmers that will help them get through the “market disruptions” caused by COVID-19. 

“Initially, eligible applicants include any small and mid-size direct-market producers,” AFT said. “These are defined as producers with annual gross revenue of between $10,000 and $1 million from sales at farmers markets and/or direct sales to restaurants, caterers, schools, stores, or makers who use farm products as inputs.”

The application for the grant is available in English and Spanish on AFT’s website. Applicants should be prepared to estimate their financial injury due to COVID-19.

Initial applications are being accepted through April 23 and grants should be dispersed by May 1.

General inquiries can be directed to relief@farmland.org. Those interested in supporting the fund through donations can contact Nicholas Herman, AFT’s VP of development, at nherman@farmland.org.