“For some of these farmers, this is just the beginning of all the troubles.”

September 6, 2005: Dairy farmers were forced to dump milk because they have no electricity. Rural vegetable farmers lost critical markets including the New Orleans’ Crescent City Farmers Market, shuttered for at least six months. “For some of these farmers, this is just the beginning of all the troubles,” says Jean Mills of the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group. “Without those markets, people are going to be just flat out without income.”

These are but a few of the difficulties farmers face in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Help them now.

Make a donation:

• To the Southern Mutual Help Association’s Rural Recover Fund
• To Farm Aid’s Family Farm Disaster Fund, now earmarked for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
• The Federation of Southern Cooperatives’ Katrina Relief and Recovery Fund Seeks clothing and supplies, and will release directions on where to send them in the near future. In addition to the camp that is already set up Epes, AL, is a chance that FEMA will be setting up a large trailer site in Greene County housing up to 10,000 people. If so, there will be a very high need for clothes and supplies.
  • To the Cooperative Development Foundation’s Katrina Cooperative Recovery Fund

Offer your farm space to shelter livestock in need of a temporary home in the “Katrina relief” forum in the New Farm Forums. Just in: A home for a horse—actually there's room for many. MORE>

“Without those markets, people are going
to be just flat out without income.”

"Practical steps for farmers affected by Hurricane Katrina" Read the Farmers Legal Action Group (FLAG) talking points on disaster assistance for farmers.

National Family Farm Coalition The NFFC represents family farm and rural groups in 30 states in seeking to build viable, sustainable rural communities. NFFC has re-activated its Credit Task Force and will be working to make sure that the federal disaster assistance meets the needs of family farmers - and push for legislative fixes to existing programs.

Oxfam America Oxfam is a long-time collaborator with NFFC and the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, working with many projects to benefit sustainable rural development and related ag policy.

RAFI (Rural Advancement Foundation International USA. (RAFI and its partners plan to travel the South helping farmers and others recreate businesses and apply for financial assistance to see them through these tough times.

www.moveon.org is organizing a massive housing effort to shelter displaced hurricane victims.