Whether it's wild fires, hurricane season, droughts, or floods, farmers are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change.
Sometimes the impacts are long-term, requiring thoughtful solutions -- different equipment, regionally adapted seed, re-locating fields and greenhouses. Other times, those impacts hit hard and fast, putting farmers, families and workers at risk, requiring short (or long-term) evacuation, endangering livestock, threatening infrastructure, or destroying crops and seeds.
The reality is that many small-scale, diversified farmers across our region -- who are focused on feeding their communities -- do not qualify for crop insurance. That means one extreme weather event can threaten not just their livelihood, but also our community’s food security for as long as it takes farmers to recover.
This year some of our farmers are facing:
- Terminated fall crops - full fields plowed under due to drought.
- Up to 50% reduction in yields for vegetables, fruits, and honey.
- Rising cost to buy in water, feed, or hay to keep livestock alive.
- Lost pastureland due to wildfires or prolonged dry conditions.
- Soil degradation from repeated flooding and erosion.
- Emergency evacuation and potential loss of crop & livestock.
- Financial strain as input costs climb while harvests shrink.
...and these are just a few examples.
The Atlantic Canada Organic Regional Network (ACORN) is launching this fundraiser to establish a mutual aid emergency relief fund for farmers impacted by climate change.
Eligible applicants will:
- be registered farms or farms that operate on a more than subsistence basis
- practise ecological agriculture
- not be considered eligible for crop insurance
- be located in Atlantic Canada
This fund is intended to farmers in crisis or suffering losses due to environmental events (such as drought, flooding, and wildfires) requiring them to re-locate/evacuate, transport or replace goods, tools/equipment, or animals, replace income from crop losses, repair critical infrastructure, seek treatment for injuries or health losses.
Funds raised will be collected by ACORN and distributed to eligible farmers on an as-needed, first come first served, basis. Periodic updates will be provided to all donors for transparency. Eligible farmers will need to apply for funds but not report on their use. Every dollar raised will go directly to affected growers, minus the GoFundMe transaction fee.
Suggested Donation Levels
$50 → Buys seed for a market garden bed
$250 → Helps replace tools or repair irrigation
$500 → Keeps a CSA or farmers’ market stand going
$1,000+ → Sponsors major recovery for a farm family
Every contribution makes a difference—whether you give $25 or $2,500.
Together, we can show local farmers that when crisis hits, they’re not alone. Please give what you can—and help us spread the word. ❤
Not in a place to donate, but seeking support? Application form for farmers.