Ag News
Weathered But Strong accepting applications for relief funds
Posted on Nov 21, 2024 at 2:50 AM
The Weathered But Strong: Georgia Hurricane Relief Fund is accepting applications from farmers affected by Hurricane Helene until midnight Dec. 31. This fund aims to provide critical financial assistance to those in need. Farmers across the affected areas who suffered losses are encouraged to apply.
“Far too many of our Georgia farm families have faced extraordinary challenges this year. The incredible generosity displayed by the individuals and organizations who have supported the Weathered But Strong relief fund has been inspiring, and I’ve been so proud to see not only the resilience of our ag community, but to see Georgians helping their fellow Georgians in their time of need,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “I strongly encourage all eligible farmers to apply and take advantage of this support so we can build back stronger than before.”
The relief fund was established by the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), in partnership with the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and with support from more than 40 agricultural partners.
“We recognize the severe impact that Hurricane Helene has had on our farming communities, and we are committed to helping our farmers rebuild and recover,” said Tom McCall, Georgia Farm Bureau president and Georgia Foundation for Agriculture chairman. “We encourage all eligible farmers to take advantage of this opportunity for financial relief. 100% of every penny raised will be distributed to farmers who were devastated by Helene.”
The fund aims to raise $1.5 million by Dec. 31 to provide direct financial aid to farmers impacted by the storm. Over $1 million has already been raised, and donations will be accepted until the end of December. To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit: www.supportgeorgiafarmers.org.
Key Details:
• Application Deadline: Midnight Dec. 31, 2024
• Application Review Period: January 2025
• Relief Grants Payout Period: Beginning February 2025
• How to Apply: Farmers must submit their applications online through the Support Georgia Farmers website. To apply, please visit: www.supportgeorgiafarmers.org/application
• Prerequisites:
o Eligible farmers must hold a current, valid GATE card number issued through the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
o All farming operations impacted by Hurricane Helene may apply, but priority will be given to the counties listed below that were declared to be in a disaster zone.
Designated Disaster Relief Areas: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Butts, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Dodge, Echols, Effingham, Elbert, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Hancock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, McIntosh, Montgomery, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Stephens, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Telfair, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wheeler and Wilkes counties.
The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA), in partnership with more than 40 Weathered But Strong ag organizations, plans to provide disaster relief to farmers and ranchers impacted by Hurricane Helene guided by principles of impartiality, need-based selection, and community-focused support. Aid is available to all eligible applicants, with applications evaluated based on the disaster-related financial or resource needs, prioritizing those most affected to benefit the broader community.
The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is grateful for the generous response to the Weathered But Strong: Georgia Hurricane Relief Fund from a variety of supporters. Top contributors include: $100,000 from AgGeorgia Farm Credit; $100,000 from Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance Company; $100,000 from Verizon; $70,000 from Kentucky Farm Bureau; $50,000 from AGCO Agriculture Foundation; $50,000 from We Care by Zyn Fund; $40,000 from CareSource; $30,000 from Magnolia Loom; $30,000 from Truist Foundation; $25,000 from Arthur M Blank Family Foundation; $25,000 from Georgia Farm Bureau Incorporated; $25,000 from Georgia Power; $25,000 from Oglethorpe Power (OPC), Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC), Georgia System Operations Corporation (GSOC), and Georgia EMC (GEMC); $25,000 from QT Gas; $15,000 from Peyton Anderson Foundation; $12,500 from Southern Belle Farms; $10,350.25 from Community Foundation of Central Georgia, Inc.; $10,350.25 from Kansas Farm Bureau; $10,000 from Atlanta Braves Foundation; $10,000 from Barrow County Farm Bureau; $10,000 from Charter/Spectrum; $10,000 from Gulfstream; $10,000 from Henry County Farm Bureau; $10,000 from MAR-JAC Poultry, Inc.; $10,000 from Newton County Farm Bureau; and $6,000 from Georgia Association of Conservation Districts.
Weathered But Strong: Georgia Hurricane Relief Fund is a collaborative fundraising effort between these ag partners: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Dickey Farms, Fort Valley State University Cooperative Extension, Georgia 4-H, Georgia 4-H Foundation, Georgia Agricultural Education, Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Georgia Cattlemen's Association, Georgia Citrus Association, Georgia Cotton Commission, Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia EMC, Georgia FFA, Georgia FFA Alumni, Georgia FFA Camps-Covington and Fort Valley, Georgia FFA Foundation, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service, Georgia Forestry Association, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Forestry Foundation, Georgia Foundation For Agriculture, Georgia Green Industry Association, Georgia Milk Producers, Georgia Peanut Commission, Georgia Pecan Growers Association, Georgia Poultry Federation, Georgia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, Georgia Wine Producers, Georgia Young Farmers Association, Lamar Pecan Co., Magnolia Loom, Stuckey’s Corporation, Sunbelt Ag Expo, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Georgia Pecan Commission, University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, and the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.
- Categories:
- Tags: