Are You Impacted by A Storm?
We see cannabis farms and businesses of every license type impacted annually by extreme weather events, storms, and flooding, and when this happens the entire supply chain is affected. Assessment of damage and loss is a critical first step in rebounding from a disaster.
Get Safe, Then Assess
After securing the safety of everyone, livestock and pets included, begin to take a detailed assessment of the storm's impact on your farm or business. Take photos, videos, and written accounts before you start cleaning up, then fill out VGA’s short form and Vermont's Flood Damage Business form to help assess total damage across the industry to seek state money for relief. If you are a farm, also fill out The Agency of Agriculture’s 2024 Flood Loss and Damage Survey and NOFA-VT’s intake form for accessing services and technical assistance.
It is vital to demonstrate the impact of extreme weather events, storms, and flooding on the industry for the purposes of obtaining assistance through the State. The VGA and Vermont assessment forms are critical to our ability as an industry to obtain relief money from the State.
Assistance for Extreme Weather Events, Storms, and Flooding
In response to the tragic reality of more frequent extreme weather events as the result of human-caused climate change, and the lack of federal relief available to the cannabis industry, we started the Vermont Cannabis Industry Emergency Fund as a permanent relief fund for Vermont-licensed cannabis farms and businesses impacted by natural and unnatural disasters.
Resources and Links
Below is a list or resources and links to help those impacted by extreme weather events, storms, and flooding. We will keep this section updated as more resources become available.
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Licensed cannabis businesses, please let us know if you’ve been impacted, use the Vermont Growers Association Cannabis Farm and Business Impact Assessment Form and then Vermont's Flood Damage Business Form to report damage and loss.
If you are a farm, also let NOFA-VT know if you’ve been impacted with the NOFA-VT Farms Impact Assessment Form.
It is vital we're able to demonstrate the impact of this storm on the industry at that time. The VGA and Vermont's assessment forms are critical to our ability to obtain relief money.
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Up-to-date weather from the National Weather Service.
For state-issued emergency updates, here is the Vermont Emergency Management Network.
Up-to-date tracking of statewide road closures, here is New England 511.
A forecast and tracking of statewide river levels, here is NOAA Water.
Tracking power outages across Vermont with Vermont Outages
A state hub for all things emergency, drying shelters, etc. with Vermont 211.
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If you are a farmer, NOFA-VT has an emergency fund for up to $5,000 they are working around the clock to process, visit the Farmers Emergency Fund to apply and for more info.
If you are a home occupancy licensee, or have damage to your home, see if you can get help from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency or call 1-800-621-3362. And here is filing help from FEMA.
Here is information on submitting insurance claims after a natural disaster.
VT Law Help has made a resource on renters and tenants rights to know after a Disaster.
For mortgage-related problems, including foreclosure avoidance, forbearance, loan modifications, and principal reduction, get info here.
Farms and family members, you can access free technical, legal, financial, and mental health services at Farm First. Call 1-877-492-6216 or visit their website.
UVM Extension Agricultural and Environmental Testing Lab performs soil testing, heavy metal screening, and soil analysis for flood-impacted, visit the Agricultural and Environmental Testing Lab to get started.
Damage to wells and springs from heavy rainfall and flooding can contaminate water. Get your drinking water from a known safe source. Here is State guidance on drinking water.
The State is offering free drinking water testing for private wells and springs impacted by flooding. Call the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory at 802-338-4724 to order free test kits.
For resources and guidance on managing flood-damaged crops, hay, forage, or corn, visit the UVM Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program web page.
If you are a Vermont-licensed cannabis farm or business impacted by a natural and unnatural disaster, the Vermont Cannabis Industry Emergency Fund awards grants up to $8,000, visit the VCIEF web page for more info.