Georgia Ag Partners Launch Joint Hurricane Relief Fund for Farmers Impacted by Helene

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Blueberry bushes impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), in a partnership with the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) and in support by the Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB), has launched the Weathered But Strong: Hurricane Relief Fund to aid farmers and ranchers facing devastating losses from Hurricane Helene. The fund aims to raise $1 million by December to provide direct financial aid to those impacted by the storm.

Pecan trees impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The relief fund is a cross-industry initiative designed to assist Georgia’s farmers with recovery efforts, including damages to crops, livestock and farm infrastructure. The campaign emphasizes resilience within the agricultural community and collaboration across the sector to ensure a strong recovery for the state’s farming community.

“The Weathered But Strong Hurricane Relief Fund is a perfect example of Georgians helping Georgians in their time of need, and we’re proud to work hand-in-hand with Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and all our industry partners to get much-need relief to our farmers and producers,” said Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “The damage Helene caused to our agricultural community is devastating for farm families across our state, and I strongly encourage anyone who is able to donate, to do so through the Weather But Strong Hurricane Relief Fund.”

The fund will help address essential needs by covering gaps left by other forms of assistance, for efforts like repairing fences, restoring livestock operations, rebuilding essential structures, and eventually providing financial aid to those impacted.

Visit www.SupportGeorgiaFarmers.org to donate online or download the forms for check contributions.

Supporting Organizations

The Weathered But Strong Hurricane Relief Fund is made possible by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the following agricultural organizations:

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Dickey Farms

Fort Valley State University Cooperative Extension

Georgia 4-H

Georgia 4-H Foundation

Georgia Agribusiness Council

Georgia Agricultural Education

Georgia Association of Conservation Districts

Georgia Cattlemen’s Association

Georgia Citrus Association

Georgia Cotton Commission

Georgia Department of Agriculture

Georgia EMC

Georgia Farm Bureau

Georgia Farm Bureau

Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service

Georgia FFA

Georgia FFA Alumni

Georgia FFA Camps-Covington and Fort Valley 

Georgia FFA Foundation

Georgia Forestry Association

Georgia Forestry Commission

Georgia Forestry Foundation

Georgia Foundation For Agriculture

Georgia Green Industry Association

Georgia Milk Producers

Georgia Peanut Commission

Georgia Pecan Growers Association

Georgia Poultry Federation 

Georgia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association

Georgia Wine Producers

Georgia Young Farmers Association

Lamar Pecan Co

Magnolia Loom

Stuckey’s Corporation

Sunbelt Ag Expo

The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association

The Georgia Pecan Commission

University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is Georgia Farm Bureau’s nonprofit (501(c)(3)), and contributions to the Hurricane Relief Fund are fully tax-deductible. Donors will receive a receipt for their records. 100% of funds donated will go directly to farmers and ranchers.