By TODD STACY, Alabama Daily News
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Farmers Federation has set up a relief fund to help Southeast Alabama growers recover from damaged caused by Hurricane Michael.
The storm “devastated crops, homes, barns and livelihoods in the Wiregrass,” said Jimmy Parnell, Federation President.
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“Farmers are resilient, but recovery takes time and money. Alabama producers are grateful for financial help from friends and supporters — and covet your thoughts and prayers during the rebuilding process.”
Many cotton crops were damaged to the point that they cannot be harvested, leaving farmers who were counting on a bumper crop with just half or two thirds of the expected harvest. Peanut farmers and cattle ranchers were also negatively impacted.
“Farmers in south Alabama have received an outpouring of support from neighbors and people across the country,” Parnell said. “Many have asked where they can donate to help farmers who’ve lost their crops and barns, so we have created a special fund within the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation to accept these gifts.”
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Donations are tax deductible and may be made at AlabamaFarmersFoundation.org or send checks payable to Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation to P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, AL 36191. All funds collected by the Foundation through Nov. 30 will be targeted toward farmer losses not covered by a farmowner policy, crop insurance or disaster relief programs.
The Farmers Federation also is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, state and national elected officials and others to collect crop damage reports.