GoFundMe underway for Tom Tower's Farm Market

Wed, Dec 16th 2020 09:00 am

‘Support Tom Tower's – Help Us Farm Again in 2021’

Niagara University graduate and former Niagara County Peach Chelsea Pelsone recently started a GoFundMe fundraising campaign for Tom Tower’s Farm Market in Youngstown. Funds can be donated online at https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-tom-towers-help-us-farm-again-in-2021?utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all. The goal is $30,000.

Pelsone wrote the following:

“My name is Chelsea Pelsone & I have worked at Tom Tower's Farm Market for 15 years. Tom & his crew have been honored to farm the soils of Youngstown, NY and serve the local community with homegrown fruits and vegetables for almost 50 years. Agriculture has been the Tower family's expertise for the last 206 years.

“However, the farm and Tom's livelihood are in jeopardy. The last few years have been extremely challenging, especially this past year due to Covid-19 & extensive crop failure. This has severely impacted the business, putting your local farm and the market at risk of potentially closing its doors. It breaks my heart to even think that there potentially may not be another growing season for our farmer at the edge of the village of Youngstown.

“Over the last 15 years, I have seen Tom work from dawn to dusk, and have been inspired by his commitment to his land and his customers from across WNY. I have also personally witnessed his generosity countless times, whether it be him donating apples to the local food bank, providing free field trips for local students to the orchards, or randomly doing a free giveaway of special produce to a customer.

“To continue our pursuit of farming & educating the importance of 'no farm's, no food', we are in need of your support. As difficult as this is to ask of people, we do know the importance of COMMUNITY, & we are hopeful that with your help and support, we can continue our legacy of farming next year and for many years to come. Tom has always believed that it is valuable to a community to have local retail farms.

“Please consider donating to Tom Tower's Farm Market toward rebuilding our farm funds. We will be forever grateful for any support we receive in hopes of being open next year, and keeping our farm growing for many more generations.

“This is more than just a farm. This is our food, our health, and a huge part of our community.”

The Youngstown Business and Professional Association board of directors stated, “#ybpastrongforall! Tom Tower and his Farm Market are icons of the Youngstown community. For over two centuries the Tower family has raised crops in the Town of Porter. Now, COVID-19 and some unfortunate weather put the farming operation in dire straits. Tom is a long-standing member of the Youngstown Business and Professional Association and he has the association's full support. Tom gives generously of his time and produce to the community. We hope the community responds in kind to help him carry on through this pandemic.”

Again, that link is https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-tom-towers-help-us-farm-again-in-2021?utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all.

Check donations also can be sent to and made out to Tom Tower, 422 Northfield Drive, Youngstown, NY 14174.

As of Wednesday morning, more than $6,600 had been donated.

Speaking of Pelsone, Jennifer Pauly, who spearheads the Peach Festival scholarship pageant, said, “The Niagara County Peach Queen Program instills community service and civic engagement in all who participate in the program. Many of our former Peach Queens actively take on community-minded projects and volunteer. It does not surprise me that Chelsea Pelsone, a former Peach Queen, is leading the charge in helping raise awareness and funds for something she feels passionately about. Chelsea is truly a role model with or without a crown!”