Unused funds from November 2022 Storm Fund Employed to Help Growers Recover
from July 2024 Tornado
Mammoser Farms in Eden Receives First Tornado Damage Grant
ERIE COUNTY, NY— Erie County and the Erie County Soil & Water Conservation District (“ECSWCD”) have announced the first recipient of the July 2024 Tornado Damage Fund program. Using funding initially established to provide up to $2M in grants to farms and agribusinesses that had sustained damages from the November 2022 Storm, remaining funds had been authorized to help farms recover from the devastating impacts from the July 10, 2024, Tornado caused by remnants of Hurricane Beryl.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and officials visited Mammoser Farms in Eden, which had seen extensive damages from the Tornado, to announce that a grant of $200,000 was being awarded to help rebuild and repair the damages that this family-owned farm sustained. “The original objective of this program was to provide grant funds to eligible farms and agribusinesses located throughout Erie County that suffered damage to buildings, structures, machinery, or equipment resulting from the 2022 November Storm” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Not all of the November Storm funds were claimed, so when the July Tornado caused additional damages, we were able to pivot quickly and commit the remaining funds to help these farmers. It’s an example of our commitment to ensure the continued viability of our farming community.”
"The impact was devastating for so many in the farming community. In some cases, greenhouses were leveled, and crops were damaged. Farmers face so many challenges. Providing them grant funding to rebuild is an important step to ensuring their long-term viability. Farmers are so important to our country and region. Assisting them is a top priority, particularly when they are left to deal with the wrath of mother nature. I’m glad Mammosers and other farms were able to take advantage of this tornado grant,” added Erie County Legislature Minority Leader John Mills, who also serves as chairman of the Erie County Soil & Water Conservation District’s board of directors.
Mammoser Farms is a third-generation dairy farm which sustained significant damages including lost roofs on several barns and other structures. Funds up to $200,000 per applicant were made available to eligible agri-businesses to address documented tornado-related damage to facilities, structures, equipment, and machinery which were determined not eligible for insurance coverage. The intent is to preserve agricultural lands and conserve agricultural soils and protect water quality for future generations.
“In addition to Mammoser Farm, ECSWCD is working with several other farmers that have documented tornado damages and are working though their insurance claims and expect to announce additional recipients over the next couple months. Unfortunately, these extreme weather events will be impacting farms and agricultural businesses at an increasing rate,” said Mark Gaston, Field Director with the Erie County Soil & Water Conservation District.
“It’s an honor to help farmers recover from these storm damages and remain in business as it will benefit all of Erie County, as we all rely on local farms and agribusinesses. I thank our partners at the Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District for managing the fund and working with Erie County to quickly get this assistance where it is needed most”, said Daniel Castle, Commissioner of the Department of Environment and Planning.
Applications are still being accepted until all funds are allocated. All applicants will need to submit proof that damages occurred between Nov. 16 to Nov. 21, 2022, for the November 2022 Storm and on July 10, 2024, for the Tornado. Applicants must also show that eligible repairs were not covered by an insurance settlement/payment or an SBA Loan. Funds approved by ECSWCD will be in forgivable grants conditioned upon preservation of farmlands for a period of five years.
For more information:
About the Erie County Soil and Water Conservation district, visit www.ecswcd.org
About the Erie County Department of Environment & Planning, visit www.erie.gov/environment
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