Assistance program forms to help Skagit farmers recover from December floods
Donations needed for fundraising effort led by the Northwest Agriculture Business Center. Skagit farmers have Feb. 28 deadline to apply for grant to help assist with recovery from flood damage..
An initiative led by the Northwest Agriculture Business Center, coordinating with the Skagit Community Foundation and Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland, is looking for support to help commercial farms that sustained damage from the floods that hit Western Washington in December.
The floods caused extensive damage across Skagit County and neighboring agriculture areas. Farms reported extensive damage to fencing and infrastructure including buildings, roads, irrigation systems, lost equipment and supplies and significant soil erosion and debris, according to information from the Northwest Agriculture Business Center. Floodwaters destroyed stored seeds, planting stock intended for the 2026 season, and soil amendments planned for spring application.
Some farms lost late-season crops, which eliminated revenue during a cash-tight period.
Farmers face a difficult gap between immediate recovery costs and the delayed availability of insurance payments or state and federal disaster assistance. Flexible, short-term funding is needed to help stabilize operations, begin cleanup, and make urgent repairs during the early recovery window.
Funding commitments from Skagit Community Foundation and Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland have established a strong foundation. The scale of need exceeds available resources. Additional contributions are critical to ensure meaningful assistance reaches farms most affected and reaches them quickly.
Contributions to the Skagit Farm Flood Relief Fund will be distributed directly to farms for urgent, flood-related needs such as debris removal, infrastructure repair, replacement of damaged equipment, and short-term measures to stabilize operations.
The fund is designed to complement, not replace, longer-term disaster relief programs.
Donor support will help farmers take the first steps toward recovery, protect local food production capacity, and sustain the agriculture communities that are central to regional economy.
Click here for more information or to donate.
Applications open for flood relief grants
Applications are open for flood relief grants that will help farmers in Skagit County who are recovering from damage sustained in December’s floods. The Skagit Community Foundation and the Northwest Agriculture Business Center are partnering to provide grants.
Awards are available up to $10,000 to cover farm losses caused by storm, flooding or landslides that aren’t covered through insurance or federal and state programs. Awards are based on availability of funds. Application will be reviewed and ranked in order until funds run out.
Application deadline for affected farmers is Feb. 28 and farmers will learn about the awards in the first week of April.
To apply, visit the Skagit County Farm Flood Relief Application.
