Farmer Flood Relief Fund opens second application round

Flood relief funding is currently available for Catskill region farmers through the Raise the Roof Donation Fund. Hundreds of community members and a dozen local organizations have contributed over $28,000 since September. These are small grants available to farms that suffered flood damage or product loss during Hurricane Irene and/or Tropical Storm Lee. A first round of $15,000 in funding has been completed. The second round of funding is open between December 15, 2011 and January 15, 2012. Applications may be obtained from the Scholarships & Grants section of the Pure Catskills webpage online at www.buypurecatskills.com or by contacting Challey Comer at ccomer@nycwatershed.org or (607) 865-7090.

The Raise the Roof Donation Fund is managed by a committee of local farmers and community members with administrative support from the Watershed Agricultural Council. Distribution of funding is the decision of the fund committee. Donations toward the fund will be accepted through the remained of 2011. One-hundred percent of donations will be awarded through the fund. Those wishing to contribute are encouraged to mail a tax-deductible donation, made out to the 'Watershed Agricultural Council,' to WAC, 44 West Street, Walton, NY 13856. General inquiries about the fundraising effort may be direct to Morgan George of Sherman Hill Farmstead at (607) 829-6886 or Target409@Hotmail.com.