About Dig Deep VT™
Catastrophic flooding, extreme weather, and crippling rains have been devastating for Vermont’s family farmers. More than 350 family farms were hit badly, suffering nearly $45 million in losses collectively, and virtually all of them need help to recover in the 2024 growing season. Without that help an untold number may not be able to continue operations.
Dig Deep Vermont™ was established by a group of volunteers working with government agencies, state associations, and business leaders. This grassroots coalition is focused on raising funds to support local Vermont family farmers, all of whom play a critical role in our communities and state.
We have organized our fundraiser by county so that neighbors can help neighbors, while also offering a general state fund which will supplement county campaigns.
Funds raised will be distributed directly to the family farms that have been impacted by the flooding and extreme weather.
Our heartfelt thanks to the volunteers and sponsors that have made this effort possible and to you, the individual donors, doing your part.
Leadership
Dig Deep Vermont benefits from the leadership and vision of co-chairs Joe Bergeron, President of the Association of Vermont Credit Unions and Molly Mahar, President of Ski Vermont / The Vermont Ski Areas Association.
Molly Mahar
Co-chair, Dig Deep Vermont
President, Ski Vermont/the Vermont Ski Areas Association
In addition to taking on the role of co-chair for Dig Deep Vermont, Molly Mahar is president of Ski Vermont/the Vermont Ski Areas Association, a nonprofit trade association serving 20 alpine and 27 cross-country ski area members in four primary areas: legislative, regulatory, marketing, and public affairs. As president of Ski Vermont she oversees the staff, operations and programming and serves as the organization’s lobbyist in Montpelier. Previously she worked at several ski areas both in and outside of Vermont holding marketing, sales, communications, and senior management positions. She is a member of the Vermont Travel & Recreation Council, several committees of the state’s Workforce Development Board and a Vermont Ski Museum Board member.
Originally from Massachusetts, Molly is a graduate of the University of Vermont and a lifelong skier.
“Vermont’s Ski Areas and the agricultural community have always been closely linked. Vermont’s family farms have supported us through difficult times, like the pandemic, and I’m here to make sure we’re doing everything we can to support them.”
Joe Bergeron
Co-chair, Dig Deep Vermont
President, Association of Vermont Credit Unions
In addition to taking on the role of co-chair for Dig Deep Vermont, Joe has spent the past 45 years in service to Vermont credit unions. During this time he has been actively involved in connecting credit unions and other cooperative sectors. Under his leadership, the Association of Vermont Credit Unions successfully crafted and lobbied the re-write of Vermont’s credit union statutes, developed a cooperatively owned ATM and debit card network in operation for over 20 years, implemented a state-wide indirect lending program where CU members can borrow directly at 150 car dealerships, and has represented credit unions in state level efforts on a variety of cross-sector projects.
Joe is a graduate of the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Business, a graduate of the CUNA School for Credit Union Personnel, a member of the American Society of Association Executives and the Association of American Credit Union League Executives. He resides in Williston, Vermont with his wife Paulette.
“Credit Unions have always played a vital role in the economic growth and recovery of local communities and this situation is no different. As a lifelong resident, I feel compelled to do what I can to help our communities stick together and overcome this adversity.”
See the magnitude of catastrophic floods and extreme weather.
Tens of thousands of acres have been flooded, hundreds of farms devastated and families all across the state are struggling.
See the magnitude of these catastrophic floods.
Tens of thousands of acres have been flooded, hundreds of farms devastated and families all across the state are struggling. Please support VT family farms.
