Massachusetts Launches $1 Million Loan Fund To Aid Farmers Affected By Drought

Up to $1 million in micro-loans will now be available to Massachusetts farmers struggling under the impacts of a widespread and historic drought. The launch of the Drought Emergency Loan Fund, announced Wednesday, is one of a series of steps Gov. Charlie Baker and his administration are taking in response to five months of abnormally dry weather. Comparing it to a similar effort that made loans available to assist businesses after record snowfall in 2015, Baker said in a statement that the fund "will provide affordable working capital to small businesses grappling with the aftermath of extreme weather." Massachusetts has been under its own official drought declaration since July 1 and the arid conditions have been blamed for contributing to wild fires, an outbreak of gypsy moths, higher rates of ant infestation, smaller than usual apples, loss of crops, and an elevated population of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus. Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $10,000 and are available to Massachusetts-based family farms and "farm related businesses," according to the application. Businesses "involved in real estate investment, multi-level marketing, adult entertainment or firearms" are ineligible.