Tuesday September 3, 2019 -

As we enter the 2019 Hurricane season, Hurricane Dorian is making its way up the East Coast after causing devastation in the Bahamas. For many farmers in Eastern NC and our surrounding states, this massive storm feels all too familiar. A state of emergency has been declared in NC, SC, GA and FL. Rain, wind and flood waters could compound the challenges facing farming families who were already impacted in 2018 by Hurricanes Florence & Matthew while adding more rural communities to the list of those recovering weather disasters. 

Thanks to new and repeat donors in 2018, RAFI was able to mobilize in response to the damage from Florence and Matthew. Our advocates have been working with affected farmers and their families since last fall to secure thousands of dollars through insurance claim appeals, emergency loans, accessing USDA disaster programs and other resources. As we prepare for what 2019 may have in store, we have the following resources to offer affected farmers:

1. Crisis Hotline (7a-7p, 7 days/week) 919-542-1396 ext.1 OR toll free 866-586-6746

2. Resource Triage (fact sheets, referrals to partner organizations and federal programs, technical clean-up info, etc.)

3. In-depth case work (long-term support with insurance claims, loans, disaster programs, unemployment, etc)

What we need help with now is funding our Farm Advocacy Team for the LONG-TERM (2-3 year) business planning, financial counseling, and policy advocacy necessary to keep farms from collapsing under the added stress of these hurricanes and their aftermath.

PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION TO SUPPORT FAMILY FARMS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.  

Can you donate to help us mobilize now, as the storm is approaching, to get essential information and assistance to farm families across the region?  If you wish to designate or restrict your donation for specific relief or support, please 'write us a comment' to the right and explain in detail.

"Following Hurricane Floyd, if it hadn’t been for RAFI, we would have lost every material possession we have. There is not a shadow of doubt in my mind. When I called RAFI, I was at my lowest low, and they were my last hope. From the moment they picked up the phone and through all the difficulties and hardships over the years since, they were there for me. The knowledge and resources and connections that they provided helped us accomplish so much. Without their help, I don’t know where we would be, but we wouldn’t be farming and we wouldn’t be in our home. We would have lost everything."

Lynne Conner, Farmer, Bertie County, NC