Farmers Helping Farmers: La. Farm Bureau Establishes Disaster Relief Fund

By: Avery Davidson

Baton Rouge, La.— Farmers and ranchers across the state of Louisiana continue to assess the damage to their land, crops, livestock and homes following Hurricane Laura. State officials have yet to put a price on the damage caused by the strongest tropical system to ever hit Louisiana. Knowing the economic impact will be significant, the Louisiana Farm Bureau has established a relief fund for money to go to farmers and ranchers impacted by Laura.

“We had other Farm Bureaus across the country asking how they could help,” said Louisiana Farm Bureau President Jim Harper. “They know we need fencing supplies, fuel for generators and materials to rebuild, but for some it’s just easier to give money and have it go to those farmers and ranchers in need.”

The Louisiana Farm Bureau Foundation Disaster Relief Fund is the conduit used by the state’s largest general farm organization following hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 to get funds into the hands of those involved in agriculture for rebuilding and recovery.

“We already have farmers helping farmers with folks from Texas driving over hay, barbwire and fenceposts,” Harper said. “South Louisiana sugarcane farmers are bringing fuel to poultry growers in the north. It’s just what folks in agriculture do when people are in need.”

To donate, make checks payable to Louisiana Farm Bureau Foundation Disaster Relief Fund and mail them to: 

Louisiana Farm Bureau Foundation
Disaster Relief Fund
P.O. Box 95004
Baton Rouge, LA 70895-9004

You can also make donations at the PayPal link below.

“We’re going to make sure every dollar donated gets into the hands of a farmer or rancher who needs it,” said Harper.

To learn more, visit www.lafarmbureau.org or contact Ashley Stephens at 225-922-6201 or ashleys@lfbf.org, or Kyle McCann at 225-922-6202 or kylem@lfbf.org.