Final day of 46th annual Sunbelt Ag Expo wraps up in Moultrie; “Weathered But Strong” campaign provides aide to Georgia farmers affected by Hurricane Helene

MOULTRIE, Ga. – While Hurricane Helene is long gone from our area, Georgia farmers are still feeling the impact, and one group is trying to lend a helping hand.

That’s why the Georgia Farm Bureau is trying to step in…

With a campaign they’re calling “Weathered But Strong”

“Yeah. So, we recognized that there was widespread devastation across the agricultural community and we wanted to come together to really support this work all as partners. We have about 40 different partners involved in the weathered, but strong campaign and it’s being pushed by the Department of Agriculture and Commissioner Tyler Harper. But, we’re coming together to raise $1,000,000 to provide some financial relief grants to farmers,” said Lily Baucom, Exec. Director, Georgia Foundation of Agriculture.

According to the Georgia Farm Bureau, the damage assessed since the start of October isn’t looking good.

It’s estimated that nearly six and a half billion dollars in revenue has been lost due to Helene…

With more than 40 percent of farmer’s crops for the fall harvest being considered unsalvageable.

As well, it’s estimated that half a billion dollars in damage was done to the state’s livestock industry, with more than 800 poultry houses in Georgia destroyed.

Back at the Ag Expo, the Georgia Farm Bureau is trying to use the weathered but strong campaign to prop up farmers in the meantime.

“We’re trying to get financial relief to farmers faster than some of the other sources, so hopefully it’ll provide them some short term relief to be able to get their businesses back online and start rebuilding so that we can see some growth in the near term,” said Baucom.

Plenty of farms in Southwest Georgia were deemed total losses in the wake of Helene’s impact…

And… for some farmers it could mean having to find a new line of work since starting over may not be feasible.

“But, some are losing this season entirely, so we want them to see a little bit of hope at the end of the tunnel and be able to have some financial relief to just get through this time when they may not have some income coming in,” said Baucom.

That isn’t going to stop them from trying to prop up Georgia farmers.

“There’s this tremendous need we’re talking about here so that we can keep farmers in farming. So, we are trying to do what we can to provide some faster financial relief maybe then some of the other sources may come in. So, this is tremendous,” said Baucom.

But… they’re hoping that the campaign will reach that one million dollar goal as long as the word gets out.

“Share it on social media. Start a Facebook fundraiser. There’s many ways you can engage your community in donating,” said Baucom.

And… the Georgia Farm Bureau is encouraging all Georgia residents to lend a hand in helping farmers impacted by Helene in getting back on their feet.

If you are interested in donating to “Weathered But Strong” you can find a link to the Georgia Farm Bureau website here Support Georgia Farmers.

Brian Roche reporting.

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