Dear John,

You probably aren’t surprised to learn there’s been a significant increase in the number of calls to our 1-800-FARM-AID hotline this year – the result of a steady stream of devastating disasters including hurricanes Milton and Helene. The hotline was originally set up as a way for people around the country to donate to family farmers when the first Farm Aid was broadcast nearly forty years ago, back in 1985. But after the concert aired, the phones kept ringing.

These calls were coming from farmers looking for assistance. Sometimes it was financial or legal support, and sometimes it was emotional support – even just an ear to listen to the many stresses farm families were enduring. We’ve been answering that hotline ever since and thought now would be the perfect time to offer some thanks to our hotline operators who take those calls.

There’s no better way to thank them than by sharing some of the words of thanks sent by the farmers they’ve spoken with (see below). These sentiments underscore the value of this critical work, which we can only continue through the support of our donors. So we thank each and every one of you too!

The critical work of our incredible hotline team, through the support of donors like you, has real and powerful impact, not just for the family farmers that call, but for our communities and our food system.

Please consider a gift to Farm Aid – any amount makes a difference – so that we can continue to support our family farmers when they need us most.

Thanks for standing with us!