By Clint Thompson
Alabama’s specialty crop producers are in the process of surveying fields and orchards, determining the severity of damages inflicted by Hurricane Isaias after it moved through the state this past weekend.
Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Executive Director Blake Thaxton emphasized that his growers maintain appropriate documentation when surveying and reporting damage.
“I think first, our prayers are with our farmers, and we pray that they come out of the storm safe personally and that their crops will not be too affected,” Thaxton said. “We would tell them that they need to document any damage that may occur if they have crop insurance or uninsured crop coverage, that they need to get in touch with their FSA folks and make sure that they get all the proper documentation and records that are needed for any claims that need to be made but also for if there’s a disaster assistance at some point.
“We would make sure that they just stay on top of those things. They’re not always the most fun things to do, especially after a disaster, but to make sure that they get the assistance that they need just to make sure they keep a good record of everything that took place.”