No images? Click here Dear John,
At Farm Aid, our hotline operators hear from farmers in the wake of disasters regularly. Nearly 40 years ago, when Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp started Farm Aid to respond to the family farm crisis, millions of Americans called 1-800-FARM-AID to donate to the cause; today, however, the phone number serves as a hotline that farmers call to get support across a range of issues, including disaster relief. In the latest episode of Against the Grain: The Farm Aid Podcast, we talk to two of Farm Aid's hotline operators Lori Mercer and Tony Glover to learn what they are hearing from farmers in the Southeast in the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton. “Family farmers can’t wait the months it takes for disaster assistance to come. To lose one more farm to another hurricane or climate-related disaster is one too many.” ~ Shorlette Ammons Farm Aid’s Program Director We've activated our Family Farm Disaster Fund. Please consider contributing today. Now that the Farm Aid 2024 festival season is over, Farm Aid staff members are catching up on things they've missed while focusing on the big show. Here's some of the content Farm Aid Communications Director Jen Fahy has been catching up this past month.
These are only three of Jen's many suggestions. Head to our website to read the rest. Let us know if you have farm or rural content to share. The day before Farm Aid 2024, nearly 300 advocates and farmers representing 42 states, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, gathered for a day of community building. The event called "A Rural Call to Action for All" featured speakers from across the food system who spoke about issues facing farming and rural communities. Legislators and movement leaders also called for action. We’ve captured the highlights from this day of community action and advocacy – from a land blessing by Donna Collins-Smith and Gerrod Smith of the Shinnecock Nation, to closing testimony from Will DellaCamera, a Connecticut farmer who shared his experience protesting the lack of support for farmers facing natural disasters. |