Hurricane Helene Relief

VCE Hurricane Relief Page | New River Valley Resources | VT Hurricane Relief Page

Message from the Provost Cyril Clarke: Support for those affected by Hurricane Helene

Franklin County VCE - If you can help assist the farming communities devastated by the Hurricane, items can be dropped off and/or purchased at Exchange Milling Company. We are working with a group of farmers in Botetourt County who are collecting items as well. Anything can help.

Screenshot of the linked document. — Many thanks to everyone working to help get hay, fencing, and other needs to Southwest Virginia farmers! UPDATE: Our biggest issue is hay transportation. We estimate that we still need around 3,500 round bales of hay to meet the needs of farmers affected in Southwest Virginia. We currently have about 1,500 round bales offered that do not have transportation. Many that have received donations talk about how much it means to know that someone cares about them. We have had more then one farmer breakdown when loads of hay come to their farm. Many have asked what they can do to help beyond the hay, hay transportation, and donations. If you are interested in coming to Southwest Virginia and helping with future events or recovery efforts, please reach out to Matt Lail at mlail@vt.edu. He will help keep us organized on that front. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please reach out! This is going to be a long process, and we appreciate everyone working with us and thinking of Southwest during this time Please reach out with any questions.

Many counties in Southwest Virginia have received significant damages because of Helene. Many have reached out asking how they can help and are wanting to specifically assist farmers in need. Extension Agents in Southwest Virginia are working to assess farmer needs and the availability of donations. If you have anyone interested in donating, we are working to coordinate those efforts. We are trying to get materials where they are needed. We also do not want to create problems with donations in areas not setup to accept. Please share the attached flyer with those who might be interested in donating. We are working with the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association on accepting financial donations and hope to have that set up soon. All those interested in donating can fill out this form: https://tinyurl.com/HELPSWVAFARMERS. We are working with farmers to assess their needs. Any farmer affected by the storm that needs assistance can fill out this form to let us know: https://tinyurl.com/SWVAAGNEEDS. Extension Agents will also be adding farmers to the list with their needs. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Amy Gail Byington at the Lee County Extension Office at (276) 546-2057 or cell (276) 698-4506 or other Southwest Virginia Extension Agents. Please be aware that Extension Agents in the hardest hit counties may be unavailable.

Southwest Virginia has had significant damages for farmers with catastrophic damages 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 complete the form using the QR code to let us know of any materials or services that you are willing to donate. All those interested in donating can fill out this form: https://tinyurl.com/HELPSWVAFARMERS.

Financial Donation Options:

Virginia Cattlemen's Foundation is raising funds to support disaster relief efforts. Donations can be made online through Venmo at
https://www.venmo.com/u/vacattlemenfoundation
Or mailed to:
Virginia Cattlemen's Foundation
Memo: Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 9
Daleville, VA 24083
Virginia Farm Bureau is raising funds through the VA FAIRS Foundation. Donations can be made online at: https://vafairs.com/virginia-farm-relief-fund/
Or mailed to:
VAFAIRS
Memo: Disaster Relief Fund
P.O. Box 27552
Richmond, VA 23261

We are working with farmers to assess their needs. Any farmer affected by the storm that needs assistance can fill out this form to let us know: https://tinyurl.com/SWVAAGNEEDS. Extension Agents will also be adding farmers to the list with their needs.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Amy Gail Byington at the Lee County Extension Office at (276) 546-2057 or cell (276) 698-4506 or other Southwest Virginia Extension Agents. Please be aware that Extension Agents in the hardest-hit counties may be unavailable.

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Long-term impact of Hurricane Helene on Virginia agriculture could reach $630 million, Virginia Tech analysis shows , article
Agricultural economist John Bovay calculated the future income losses to farmers and ripple effects to the regional economy to help guide state and federal aid. The total includes the financial impact to agriculture, forestry, and related industries.
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Virginia Cooperative Extension helps communities rebuild after Hurricane Helene , article
In 21 Southwest Virginia communities hardest hit by the storm, Virginia Cooperative Extension is leading relief efforts and supporting agriculture — Virginia’s largest private industry.
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Virginia agricultural damage from Hurricane Helene tops $159 million, Virginia Cooperative Extension says , article
Extension's assessment of 3,672 farms across 21 localities reveals the extent of losses for crops, livestock, land, buildings, and infrastructure.
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Virginia Cooperative Extension estimates preliminary agricultural damage from Hurricane Helene in Southwest Virginia at over $125 million , article
Assessing the agricultural damage is one of the many ways Extension is helping Virginia communities recover from the hurricane.

Hurricane Helene Relief

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