"It is too early to fully describe or even estimate damages, but it is clear losses will be catastrophic and our farmers and agricultural producers will need help. In our mountainous State, much of our most fertile farmland lies in river valleys, and countless fields of corn, hay, vegetables, fruit, and pasture were swamped and buried. We expect that the excessive flooding and related silt and other contamination will destroy large shares of our produce and livestock feed. Moreover, Vermont's growing season is short, and a historic flood in the heart of it is particularly devastating. Many crops cannot be replanted, and losses will not be effectively recovered or mitigated prior to our early fall harvest."