Naugatuck farmer impacted by recent flooding discusses state grant for emergency assistance
Kaitlyn Kimball's farm, Sunset Farm, in Naugatuck sustained over $10,000 in damage.
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Farmers impacted by the historic flooding earlier this month met with officials from U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture Wednesday to find out what type of assistance is available to them and their businesses.
Many who attended the meeting at the Southbury Parks and Reaction Center were encouraged to apply for state emergency assistance.
Earlier this week, Gov. Ned Lamont announced a $5 million state grant.
As News 12 reported, businesses and nonprofits in Fairfield, Litchfield and New Haven counties with less than 100 employees can apply for up to $25,000 for cleanup, replacing equipment and lost inventory.
Farmers were informed it would be very competitive program.
Kaitlyn Kimball's farm, Sunset Farm, in Naugatuck sustained over $10,000 in damage.
The farm is considered too small to have crop insurance.
MORE: Connecticut flood victims meet with Federal Emergency Management Agency
Kimball says she was told the application would be time consuming and lengthy to complete, and farmers are currently in the middle of their busy season.
She says for the application, farmers will have to provide documents such as harvest and planting records, which can be different compared to what other businesses have to show.
Kimball tells News 12 farmers should have direct access to funding because they face challenges, such as weather and being seasonal, that other business do not have deal with.
"Farmers should have some kind of funding that's not a loan. We're being told right now to apply for a loan. A loan, a loan. And I think farmers are a little agitated with that response because if we are already facing losses, we don't want to take on more debt. We just need some direct capital now to help us get out of some holes we are in right now," says Kimball.
