In case you missed it, yesterday, The Weathered But Strong: Georgia Hurricane Relief Fund partners announced that applications are open for farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene. This fund aims to provide critical financial assistance to those in need, and we urge farmers across the affected areas 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 J Harper. “I strongly encourage all eligible farmers to apply and take advantage of this support so we can build back stronger than before.”
“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, the Georgia Farm Bureau president and Georgia Foundation for Agriculture board 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 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. The fund aims to raise $1.5 million by Dec. 31 to provide direct financial aid to those 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 Period: Open until 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:
- Eligible farmers must hold a current valid GATE card number issued through the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
- 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, Wilkes.
The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA), in partnership with 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 a collaborative fundraising effort between leading 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, The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, The Georgia Pecan Commission, University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.
About the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture
The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is a 501(c)(3) organization that prepares the next generation of Georgia leaders for success in agriculture and also supports programs that address the challenges facing agriculture and works to preserve the future of farming. Donations to the Weathered But Strong: Hurricane Relief Fund go to the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and are tax-deductible under IRS 170(b)(A)(VI). Learn more at GAFoundationAg.org.
