INVEST IN FARMERS IMPACTED BY WINTER STORM ELLIOTT

DONATE TODAY TO SUPPORT LOCAL GEORGIA FARMERS

To meet this need, Georgia Organics and a coalition of local food and farm groups, united to raise $250,000 to support these farmers with timely disaster assistance through The Farmer Fund.

For questions about donating, CONTACT Emmy Carter at emmy@georgiaorganics.org

WINTER STORM ELLIOTT

In the days leading up to Christmas Day 2022, Winter Storm Elliott brought Arctic air and historic below-freezing temperatures to Georgia. 

Few experienced the brunt of Winter Storm Elliott’s destruction more than Georgia’s local and organic farmers, many of whom lack the critical infrastructure needed to protect against freeze-related natural disasters. 

After months of planning, planting, and care, vegetables destined for local communities were decimated within days.

Not only were winter crops in the field and undercover destroyed, there was also costly infrastructure damage from wind and freezing pipes.  Livestock ranchers reported loss in animal life, and many fruit trees perished throughout the state.

FARMER TESTIMONIALS continued below

“We have never experienced anything like this type of loss before...simply devastating.” Ilana Richards of Levity Farms (Madison) 

“All the farmer’s markets in our region will be impacted for weeks and months to come...” Eugene Cooke & Nicole Bluh of Grow Where You Are (Atlanta) 

This destruction translates to significant losses—up to 90%—in seasonal crops, sales and revenues for farm owners as well as unanticipated repair expenses. This, in turn, impacts wages for farm laborers on many of these farms. 

This is where The Farmer Fund comes in. 

The Farmer Fund—established in 2015 and managed by Georgia Organics since 2018—assists farmers that feed the state of Georgia primarily through farmers’ markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs), and local restaurant sales. 

As of Jan. 26, The Farmer Fund has received applications requesting over $300,000 for emergency relief. 

To meet this need, Georgia Organics is assembling a coalition of local food and farm groups, united to raise $250,000 to support these farmers with timely disaster assistance through The Farmer Fund. 

Our growing list of partners currently includes The Conservation Fund, The Common Market, Community Farmers Markets, Food Well Alliance, Georgia Organics, Wholesome Wave Georgia.

Alice Rolls, president & CEO of Georgia Organics, explains, “Winter storm Elliot is testing The Farmer Fund, our disaster relief fund, in unprecedented fashion. This is not a flood or hurricane that impacted a particular region of the state – all farmers were impacted by the sustained hard freeze. 

“The Farmer Fund is seeing a record number of applications and financial need.  I am grateful for the cooperative spirit of our allies and sister organizations who are teaming up to support and promote a campaign to raise $250,000 for our impacted farmers.”

To meet this need, Georgia Organics and a coalition of local food and farm groups have united to raise $250,000 to support these farmers with timely disaster assistance through The Farmer Fund. 

Together, Georgia Organics and our key partners are requesting donations today to The Farmer Fund. Our farmers need your help to make it through this difficult time. 

For questions about donating, CONTACT Emmy Carter at emmy@georgiaorganics.org

Show your support on social media using #thefarmerfund and @georgiaorganics to help spread the word. 

WINTER STORM ELLIOTT TESTIMONIALS 

Ilana Richards of Levity Farms (Madison) 
“We have never experienced anything like this type of loss before. List of crops lost (several rows per bed): 350' of bolero carrots, 150' of salanova lettuce, 75' sugarloaf chicory, 100' of cauliflower, 100' of romanesco cauliflower, 75' of fennel, 50' napa cabbage, 50' kohlrabi, 100' of caraflex cabbage, 100' of bok choi, 75' of collard greens, as well as newly sprouted winter crops in tunnels such as watermelon radish, arugula, ruby streaks mustards, and hakurei turnips. We were very excited to have enough crops to "get us through the winter," but sadly the erratic weather got the best of the farm. We harvested as much as we could before the storm to provide our chefs with some produce starting next week, but the loss is simply devastating.” 

Eugene Cooke & Nicole Bluh of Grow Where You Are (Atlanta) 

“The Arctic air that came through at the end of this year, froze many crops for a majority of local growers. Many of us made efforts to cover our field crops with row covers, while other farmers were fortunate enough to have grow tunnels. The 8 degree and below temperatures decimated crops that were uncovered even inside of grow tunnels. The wind also damaged tunnel structures.  All the farmer’s markets in our region will be impacted for weeks and months to come, as local growers strive to replant strategically. Important factors in our strategic growth considerations are more season extension and weather protection infrastructure needed for all the small and midsize farmers in Metro Atlanta and surrounding rural areas.” 

Jeni Jarrard and Nicolas Donck of Crystal Organic Farm (Newborn)

“Today, many farmers in the Southeast are facing major devastation and total crop losses from Winter Storm Elliott. Our friends and farmer families are now calculating how to make it through this season with no income. 
 
In this region, we are not set up for sustained temps for almost one week below freezing. It is a tricky balance for us because while we grow in high tunnels and hoop houses which offer protection, they did not block the sub-zero wind chills this winter. In fact, many of our high tunnel doors were ripped off and torn as well as the frost covers inside. 
 
For us personally, any vegetable or herb we grow is already sold to an extent, so these losses hit hard. We have 6 year-round employees, not including ourselves, and no one was able to work this week. That’s multiple families impacted.  We truly stress the importance of supporting your local farmers.. perhaps now more than ever. 
 
Nicolas summed it up best:  “In 30 years of farming I’ve never encountered a winter storm like the one we experienced over this Holiday weekend. Despite our best efforts to cover and protect the crops in the ground, our farm took a significant hit. In farming, it is understood that one must simply do the best they can, let go and know it is somewhat out of our control.   This letting go eases the sting of crop losses a bit, but does not take it away by any means. As farmers, Mother Nature commands our respect in a different way, each season, year-round.” 

DONATING TO THE FARMER FUND

Caring businesses and individuals, like you, provide direct support for these farmers through generous donations to The Farmer Fund. 

More than $300,000 in direct support has been accessed by farmers to date through The Farmer Fund.

Help our farmers survive and thrive by making a donation at the form today.

Your contributions will go directly to help our Farmers in need of emergency support. The Farmer Fund is managed by Georgia Organics, a registered 501c3; all online donations are tax deductible and can be made through the donation form and button below.

For questions about donating, CONTACT Emmy Carter at emmy@georgiaorganics.org

Board Chairman Matthew Raiford, owner and farmer at Gilliard Farms, shared the following for Georgia farmers facing natural disasters:

"Oftentimes, when people hear the phrase “hunker down,” they think about staying in place. Well, as farmers, we’re all about staying in place, hunkering down, getting as low as we can to the ground, making sure things are secure. So, this is our verb of the day: hunker down.

"And as we’re hunkering down, do not let your heart not be troubled. Georgia Organics and your extended farm family is here for you.

“And when this passes, when we’re done hunkering down, that’s the time we need to—as [Georgia Organics’ Director of Farmer Advocacy] Michael Wall says—lean on each other.”