Press Releases
GFB Foundation Collecting Donations to Aid Hurricane Victims
Posted on Oct 16, 2018 at 0:00 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2018
CONTACT: Andy Lucas, ralucas@gfb.org, 478-474-0679, ext. 5237
GFB Foundation Collecting Donations to Aid Hurricane Victims
The Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Foundation for Agriculture is accepting tax-deductible monetary donations to help Hurricane Michael victims recover from the storm. All donations made to the GFB Foundation’s Hurricane Michael Relief Fund will be given to Georgians, farmers and ranchers who suffered losses to the storm.
Hurricane Michael hit farmers across South and Central Georgia hard damaging row crops, pecan orchards, vegetable crops, poultry houses, farm equipment and barns. Storm damage wasn’t limited to agriculture as Michael also left homes and automobiles damaged or destroyed, and people homeless.
“With Hurricane Michael making landfall last week, the damage Georgia has experienced will leave a lasting effect on our state. As we continue to assess damage, Georgia Farm Bureau is on the ground to help begin the recovery and rebuilding process for Georgians impacted by this tragedy,” GFB President Gerald Long said. “While debris can be cleared away and structures rebuilt, we must continue to pray for the farmers who have lost entire crops, poultry houses, farm equipment and livestock.”
University of Georgia pecan experts have made an early estimate that Hurricane Michael cost Georgia pecan growers 40 to 50 percent of this year’s crop. Many mature pecan trees were uprooted, which will cost growers future production as it takes seven to ten years for a new tree to produce nuts.
According to the Georgia Cotton Commission, cotton growers are reporting crop losses from 25 to 100 percent, depending on their location. Damage to Georgia's peanut crop is hard to estimate this early due to the crop being in various stages of harvest when Michael hit. Power loss and structure damage to facilities where peanuts are bought and graded could also impact the crop. The Georgia Department of Agriculture reports that 92 poultry houses were destroyed and vegetable crops in hard-hit areas are a total loss.
Donations can be made online via credit card by visiting gfb.ag/stormrelief. Donations made by check should be made out to the Georgia Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture and specified for the Hurricane Michael Relief Fund in the memo line. Checks should be mailed to:
Georgia Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture
Attn: David Jolley
P.O. Box 7068
Macon, Ga. 31209
Donors who contribute $250 or more must receive an acknowledgement from the GFB Foundation in order to deduct the gift as a charitable donation on their federal income tax return. Donors should provide the GFB Foundation with a return address at the time donations are made to receive an acknowledgement. Please contact stormrelief@gfb.org with monetary donation questions or call 478-474-8411 ext. 5142.
About Georgia Farm Bureau
Founded in 1937, Georgia Farm Bureau is the largest general farm organization in Georgia. It works to connect consumers with agriculture and offers its members a wide variety of benefits, including insurance, but enrollment in any of the member benefits is optional and not a requirement for membership.
About GFB Foundation for Agriculture
The GFB Foundation for Agriculture funds activities to educate students and consumers about how farmers grow their food. It also funds scholarships for students pursuing careers in agriculture.
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