Stay Informed

State Farm Bureaus have responded in different ways to some of this summer’s natural disasters, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

In response to Hurricane Laura, a category 4 storm which brought hurricane-force winds through the Louisiana’s prime cattle, rice, sugarcane, corn, soybean, nursery and poultry growing areas, the Louisiana Farm Bureau has set up a fund to help agricultural producers.

To donate, send checks payable to the Louisiana Farm Bureau Foundation Disaster Relief Fund to: Louisiana Farm Bureau Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 95004, Baton Rouge, LA 70895-9004.

You can also donate online by using the PayPal link found on Louisiana Farm Bureau’s website. For more information, contact Ashley Stephens (225-922-6201, ashleys@lfbf.org) or Kyle McCann (225-922-6202, kylem@lfbf.org). 

Midwestern farmers also had some major weather-related problems. A derecho – a widespread, long-lived windstorm associated with bands of rapidly moving showers – hit Iowa and parts of Illinois in August. Both state Farm Bureaus donated to provide some immediate relief in local communities, focusing initially on supporting the Red Cross as it quickly mobilized to meet those critical needs.

In the days that followed, Iowa Farm Bureau set up an online message board where farmers can both offer and request help as they pick up the pieces from this storm. To find this site, go to www.iowafarmbureau.com/Farmer-Resources and click on the link for “Farming Community Disaster Exchange.”

Meanwhile, thunderstorms in California have sparked hundreds of wildfires across the state. California Farm Bureau organized farm resources and delivered community relief through its California Bountiful Foundation. Donate to the California Bountiful Foundation Farm and Rural Disaster Fund by visiting https://california-bountiful-foundation.square.site/.