In the wake of Hurricane Helene and the subsequent floods, farmers and ranchers across the affected regions — particularly in the Southeast United States — are facing significant challenges, from damaged crops and livestock losses to infrastructure destruction. For example, major roads, such as Interstate 40 in western North Carolina and U.S. 58 in southern Virginia, have sections that are completely wiped out.
As these communities work to recover, there are several ways to offer support, from donating to relief funds to volunteering time. Every bit of help can make a difference in rebuilding the agricultural backbone of these devastated areas.
How can you help?
Make smart donations
If you are considering donating to a group you haven’t heard of before or to a fund that isn’t administered by a reliable source, please check out the list of legitimate charities on Charity Navigator to make sure that you’re not getting scammed.
State-specific farm and ag-centric donations
There are many reputable organizations outside of the farming community that are accepting donations (groups such as Samaritan’s Purse and the American Red Cross), however, we feel its important to also support food-, fiber-, and fuel-producers, so this list is specific to helping them:
Florida
Florida Farm Bureau has created a hurricane relief fund that will assist Florida farmers and ranchers affected by the Hurricane Helene.
Donations can be made via check or online through the Hurricane Helene Relief Fund.
Georgia
Georgia Farm Bureau is partnering with the Georgia Department of Agriculture along with other ag organizations across the state to launch a relief fund specifically for farmers affected by this storm.
Donations can be made here.
North Carolina
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and N.C. State Extension is accepting livestock donations at multiple sites throughout the state.
North Carolina’s Ag in the Classroom program is accepting notes, letters, poems, or drawings to help families, farmers, first responders, and individuals affected by Helene.
Tennessee
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is asking for donations in multiple locations and/or monetary donations through their website.
Virginia
Southwest Virginia has experienced significant damage for farmers, with catastrophic damage to some farms, especially along the New River and Holston River.
If you are interested in donating specific supplies such as hay, fencing, etc. please fill out this form through Virginia Extension.
Other items such as diapers, baby wipes, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and more are being accepted at dropoff locations around Virginia. Click here to see where you can drop items off.
The Southwest Virginia 4-H Educational Center is housing around 140 linemen, and is accepting volunteers to help with preparing and packing meals and cleaning the facility.
Funds to help cattlemen
Cattlemen’s associations in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia are accepting donations to help cattlemen in need. These include recovery efforts, fencing supplies, feed, and more.
A list of addresses and ways to send donations are available here.
Rural Women’s Health Project funds
In a little over a year, the Big Bend Area of Florida has been impacted by three hurricanes, impacting our North Florida counties. This has left vulnerable communities displaced, out of work, without food, among many other challenges not once, but three times in the last 13 months.
This group is raising money to help local communities recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and the continued impacts of Debby.
Food pantries and groups deliver aid to Southern counties
Mule pack strings deliver supplies to stranded N.C. families
Mountain Mule Packer Ranch is distributing supplies to communities that are unreachable by vehicle and/or stranded in North Carolina. Donations through Venmo and t-shirt fundraisers can be made through their Facebook page.
