Help Rebuild Northern Michigan Farms Impacted by Ice Storm

Ice Storm Farm Relief Fund

After the recent ice storm in Northern Lower Michigan, one local farm shared: “It’s like starting over from scratch, and the heartbreak is indescribable. Every resource we have is being reinvested immediately into this process, which makes the situation even more difficult. We are planning for a 6 figure loss.”

Multiple counties in Northern Lower Michigan experienced a disastrous ice storm that lasted from March 28-30. The current estimate of total damage from this storm is $200-300 million. Damage reports from local farms have been staggering: entire plantings and livestock lost, miles of fencing down, forests destroyed, debris hindering future farming efforts.

With farmer livelihoods under threat, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology, and the Local Food Alliance have partnered for this fundraiser to help the region recover. Money raised will be distributed to impacted farms through a simple application process, providing much needed assistance to those impacted by the storm.

Northern Lower Michigan produces many of the agricultural items for which Michigan is known, with countless small- and large-scale farms that operate in the region. Between the extensive power loss and the physical damage from the storm, some farmers’ livelihoods have been seriously threatened.

Donations of any size are helpful in supporting our local farmers as they rebuild their businesses. In addition to this crowdfunding campaign, we have also secured $10,000 to distribute from local community foundations.

Farmers interested in applying for these relief funds can do so by submitting this form.