From Joseph Sisk, chair of the KyCGA Disaster Relief Task Force:
In the aftermath of the tornadoes from December 10, KyCGA offers our sincere condolences to all of those who lost loved ones. We understand the emotional toll on farmers when the crops and animals, that we take such pride in, are damaged and destroyed. KyCGA is actively engaging corn producers and the facilities to where they deliver. In the weeks and months ahead, after the initial shock and energy wains, we will work to identify critical areas where long term repairs must be made to ensure we, as a community, are moving as effectively as possible to give our grain producers the best possible options for next year and beyond.
Many organizations and individuals are eager to help anyone in need. Resources for offering and receiving assistance are below. Please, do not hesitate to reach out to KyCGA for any need you may have.
Need help?
If you are a farmer who is in need of assistance, please call us at 800-326-0906 or reach out to your local county extension office.
Farmers will help farmers, and we want to facilitate that. As does the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Cooperative Extension Service, who are teaming up to coordinate an operation to identify the needs and supplies for individual farming operations in the impacted area.
KyCorn will work with farmers and other organizations to match the requested need with a donor of any service or item. This can include debris removal, grain hauling or storage, hay, feed or longer-term items such as fencing material.
We would also like to thank Anthem for compiling a list of open shelters and additional links or finding help with power outages, road closures, and more.
ways to help
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has partnered with the Kentucky Farm Bureau to develop a GoFundMe account at https://gofund.me/6855c668 to provide monetary support for affected farmers. Donations are tax deductible.
The Kentucky Division of Emergency Management is accepting donations and relief effort volunteer applications. Individuals can offer to donate supplies or apply to volunteer at https://arcg.is/8aqnO.
Individuals, who wish to make monetary donations to the tornado victims, may do so by donating through UK’s Office of Philanthropy at https://uky.networkforgood.com/causes/9900-cafe-annual-discretionary-fund.
Kentucky 4-H has a 4-H’ers Helping 4-H’ers Relief Fund https://kentucky4hfoundation.org/relief-fund/ that is collecting donations to help affected 4-H members, families and staff.
Kentucky FFA Efforts
Hopkins Central Ag Teacher, Lee James, lost his home near Dawson Springs on Friday night. I understand that his mother and sister also lost their homes. Lee also had damage to his barn and fences but did not lose any livestock. Lee and his family are OK but had neighbors killed in the storm. Support this effort
Helping the Mennonite and Amish Communities
The Kentucky Dairy Development Council has set up a fund that will directly benefit Amish & Mennonite/Dairies & Agriculture. The fund will also help other dairies in the state that were affected.
The Plain community does not use insurance nor do they accept government funds such as FEMA. They are self funded when disasters like this happen. In talking with some of the elders, they said that the destruction is extensive and they will have a hard time covering the needs of the Plain community.
KDDC is a non profit organization. 100% of the donations will go directly to those in need. To make a donation, write the check to KDDC.
Send to:
KDDC/Schlappi
554 Davenport Rd
Harrodsburg, KY 40330
To use a credit card, go to www.kydairy.org
Aerial view of the UK Research and Education Center after it took a direct hit from a weekend tornado. Photo by Matt Barton, UK agricultural communications.
The UK Research and Education Center in Princeton took a direct hit from the powerful tornado that began in northwestern Arkansas and carved a path of destruction across the western half of Kentucky. UKREC employees, led by director Carrie Knott, worked through the weekend, securing and caring for animals, assessing damage and offering support.