KAG offers more interest-free loans for Pioneer Valley farms

SOUTH DEERFIELD – Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) has opened the second round of its Emergency Farm Fund and is offering more loans to support farms across Pioneer Valley affected by the global pandemic.

“It is the first time in this century that we have seen a pandemic that literally affects every single operation,” said CISA Executive Director Philip Korman. “Companies have lost existing markets and need to implement new safety practices. Our goal is to provide support where we see gaps in current programs, both in the public and private sectors. We have to protect our local food supplies and manage our local farms. “

The fund offers interest-free loans of up to $ 25,000 to farmers negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to meet their immediate financial needs resulting from market volatility, closings, and other changes.

During the first round of funding, CISA, in partnership with Franklin County Community Development Corp. (CDC) $ 183,000 loan to 13 farms in Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties. Another $ 217,000 is now available. Applications for this funding round can be found at buylocalfood.org, and are due June 22nd.

“This new partnership means the fund could provide larger loans to more farmers,” said John Waite, executive director of Franklin County CDC. “In an unprecedented crisis like this, it is more important than ever to look for new ways of working together and to use all available resources.”

The fund was launched in 2011 in response to the damage that farms in western Massachusetts suffered from Hurricane Irene. Korman said this was the first time the fund would be drawn during a non-weather crisis.

The Emergency Farm Fund is administered by CISA and loans are jointly administered by CISA and the Franklin County CDC. There is an Audit Committee made up of people from diverse agricultural backgrounds including farmers, CISA staff and board members, as well as representatives from Franklin County CDC, PVGrows Investment Fund, Equity Trust and the State Department of Agricultural Resources.

For more information call 413-665-7100 or visit buylocalfood.org.