I’ve been collecting news releases from various agricultural companies and organizations that are working to provide help to people impacted by Hurricane Katrina. There’s a lot and I think it shows how helpful Americans are, especially those involved in the food chain! There’s no way to post all of the various efforts but I’ll try to summarize what I have so far. I know there’s much more going on out there. Feel free to add to this post using the comment feature if you know of more.
Let’s start with the Agriculture River Recovery Fund. This is the latest I received notice about. “Supported by solidarity across agriculture, ARRF hopes to raise at least $US 500,000. The funds collected will be distributed to grain industry and supporting service industry employees as quickly as possible.”
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and affiliated state organizations are hard at work “Cattlemen from across the nation are working to bring aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina. In addition to the catastrophic damage in and around New Orleans, thousands have been left homeless and without power and water in rural areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. In addition to making donations to traditional relief agencies, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, state beef councils and state cattlemen’s associations are calling on all agricultural producers to contribute to the recovery effort of farm and ranch families.”
The FFA has a program in place “National FFA President Jackie Mundt announced today a fundraising effort called Seeds of Hope to rebuild agricultural education and FFA programs in the Gulf states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida hit hard by Hurricane Katrina.”
Dow is responding “Also today, Dow announced that it will contribute $3 million to the hurricane relief efforts. The donation will consist of: $1 million in an immediate cash donation to the American Red Cross, $1 million match to employee and retiree donations to the American Red Cross. The more than 1,100 Indianapolis-based employees of Dow AgroSciences, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow Chemical, will have the opportunity to contribute, and $1 million in products and technology donations for the longer term reconstruction effort.”
The National Association of Wheat Growers is urging it’s members to help “The staff, board and officers of NAWG offer our heartfelt condolences to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and encourage members and friends of NAWG to contribute to the American Red Cross to help alleviate the suffering and address the real human needs bought on by this unprecedented tragedy.”
Farm Journal Media is using their own media resources to help “Farm Journal Media today announces an initiative to donate cash contributions and media space to the American Red Cross to help ameliorate the human tragedy caused by Hurricane Katrina. The company announced that it will match employee contributions made to recognized charities helping with relief by making a donation to the Red Cross. In addition, Farm Journal Media is donating $100,000 of free media space in its publications, television programs, newsletters and on its Internet site, www.agweb.com, to encourage U.S. farmers and ranchers to contribute to the Red Cross.”
Of course you have to consider crop insurance and National Crop Insurance Services has this message “The crop insurance industry has already applied for expedited claims servicing procedures in the wake of Katrina. Similar procedures last year, allowed crop insurance companies to quickly respond to hurricane damaged crops in Florida. Producers who do have damage should call their crop insurance agent as soon as possible. The crop insurance companies usually respond to disasters by pulling claims adjusters from around the country.”
CHS is putting up a significant amount of money to help out “CHS Inc. and the independent CHS Foundation announced today plans to contribute a combined $100,000 to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and pledged matching funds for CHS system employees and member cooperatives who contribute to designated efforts.”
Delta & Pine Land were certainly close to the devastation “Delta and Pine Land Company, a leading commercial breeder, producer and marketer of cotton planting seed, today announced a commitment of up to $100,000 for disaster relief. The company has made initial commitments of $20,000 to the Salvation Army Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund and an additional $20,000 to the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund. The Company also announced matching programs for employees and customers that will raise the total financial commitment by D&PL to a maximum of $100,000.”
The U. S. Wheat Associates is urging support through the Red Cross “U.S. Wheat Associates extends heartfelt wishes to our colleagues located at the Gulf grain trade facilities. We encourage members of the global “wheat family” to contribute to the American Red Cross if they wish to help.”
There are also many company’s and organizations who are advertising the Red Cross website with a link on their websites. You can find ways to donate and assist on their site.
I certainly don’t mean to exclude anyone. As I said at the beginning of this post, please feel free to use the comment feature to add more if you know of them.