ATLANTA — 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.

The Weathered But Strong: Hurricane Relief Fund is a cross-industry initiative designed to assist Georgia’s farmers with recovery efforts, including damages to crops, livestock, and farm infrastructure, according to a press release from Georgia Farm Bureau. 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 state 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 Weathered 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, the Farm Bureau press release said.

In Coffee County, farmers Danny and Angie O’Steen witnessed the destruction of cotton and timber on their land.

“The kind of loss we saw all over Coffee County is incalculable and catastrophic,” Angie O’Steen remarked after seeing the damage to farms around the area.

Danny O’Steen added, “This was a storm of a lifetime that couldn’t have come at a worse time for Georgia farmers as they were starting the harvest season.”

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

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 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 and 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, the Georgia Farm Bureau press release said.