New Hampshire has launched a new program to help Granite State farmers who were hit hard by severe weather last year.

Applications opened Friday for the new crop loss program aimed at mitigating losses from the crippling conditions of last year, when many farmers saw almost all of their crops get wiped out.

A survey of farmers by the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension found that fruit growers lost virtually all of their peach crops due to extreme low temperatures, the state's apple crop was decimated by a late freeze and farms saw additional losses because of the wild amounts of rain and flooding that hit the granite state through much of 2023.

The new program is open to any New Hampshire farm that experienced at least a 30% loss in any product, had a gross income of at least $30,000 in the last three years and has stayed open and not filed for bankruptcy.

The governor's office said that once an application is in, the money will be awarded quickly, so farms can purchase new supplies for the upcoming growing season.

Applications can be sent to the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture by May 15, 2024.

Source - https://www.wmur.com