BOLTON AND STOW FARMERS RECEIVE STATE DISASTER AID 

$20 million distributed to Massachusetts farms, including Bolton Spring Farm, Bolton Orchards, Nicewicz Family Farm, Carver Hill Orchard, Honey Pot Hill Orchards, Shelburne Farm and Derby Ridge Farm 

BOSTON– January 4, 2023 – Last month, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $20 million to farms impacted by several severe weather events this year. The Natural Disaster Recovery (NDR) Program for Agriculture provides immediate assistance to 347 farmers in Western and Central Massachusetts who experienced significant crop losses due to a deep February freeze, a late May frost event, and catastrophic flooding in July.  

Seven farms in the Third Middlesex District applied for, and will receive funds, including: Bolton Spring Farm, Davis Farms Trust (Bolton Orchards) and Nicewicz Family Farm in Bolton; and Carver Hill Orchard, Honey Pot Hill Orchards, Shelburne Farm and Derby Ridge Farm in Stow. 

“After the extreme weather and natural disasters hit our region earlier this year, the Legislature, in partnership with the Healey-Driscoll Administration, moved quickly to appropriate funds for recovery,” said Representative Kate Hogan (D-Stow). “Our farmers are always resilient in the face of adversity, and we want them to know that we have their backs. These funds will help sustain our farms, all small and family-owned, so they may continue their important roles as contributors to the Commonwealth’s food security and local economy.” 

The arctic freeze that swept through the state in early February caused damage to the stone fruit crop in Massachusetts, wiping out this year’s peaches and plums. In May, the overnight temperatures fell to below freezing after most fruit blossoms had set, severely damaging apple, pear, and grape crops. July’s unprecedented rainfall caused destructive flooding in Western and Central Massachusetts, impacting thousands of acres of crops cultivated by more than 110 farms across the region. For some farmers, the events meant a total loss of their crops for the season, and for others, it substantially reduced their harvest and, as a result, their revenue.  

“We greatly appreciate Representative Hogan, the rest of the Legislature, and the Governor and her administration, for hearing our need and acting so responsively. The aid was released quickly and has made a monumental difference in a year of catastrophic crop loss,” said Chelcie Martin, Honey Pot Hill Orchard. 

“The unprecedented weather events we’ve experienced – from the freeze in February to the frost in May  – resulted in our low-elevation apples being unharvestable this year. In July, floods prevented us from accessing some of the fields. This funding will mitigate some of the losses and we are thankful to the Legislature and the Healey-Driscoll administration for their support,” said Kenneth Nicewicz, Nicewicz Family Farm. 

 
“We very much appreciate the aid the state gave us. We’re going to use it to replant and rejuvenate the orchard, predominantly our apple and peach crops,” said Sarah Toole, Bolton Orchards. 

To receive funding through the NDR Program, applicants were required to be a Massachusetts-based agricultural operation growing field crops, hay and forage crops, or produce crops. Eligible farms had to demonstrate that they suffered losses of greater than 15% of their total planted acreage during one of the 2023 natural disasters.   

Funds from the NDR Program will be distributed immediately in time for local farms to begin the work needed for next year’s growing and harvesting season.  

“Over the summer, it was heartbreaking to tour and see the destruction that the July floods caused on our farming community,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “Combined with the prior frost and freeze events, our farmers suffered massive losses. After hearing from so many about what they needed in order to remain viable, we knew that immediate relief in funding was critical in order to assist in recovery efforts. We’re grateful to our partners in the Legislature for supporting the NDR Program as a meaningful way to help our agricultural industry overcome these recent challenges.”  

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