Three of the nation’s leading agriculture cooperatives have announced today that they are partnering to support relief efforts in Tennessee, following devastating storms and flooding. CoBank, Land O’Lakes, Inc. and Farm Credit Mid-America will together donate $80,000 of cash and in-kind products to support the communities in Tennessee ravaged by the recent natural disasters.
Local weather reports said that up to 17 inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours in the area around Waverly and Dickson approximately 90 miles west of Nashville. The flood that struck middle Tennessee and the resulting destruction and loss of life on Saturday is unprecedented. “The flood damage throughout the area has been very extensive,” said Tim Williams, senior vice president for Farm Credit Mid-America. “For most of our farmers, harvest conditions were shaping up to be ideal. But many have now lost not only their whole crops, but in many cases livestock, buildings, facilities and equipment.”
“Responding to a natural disaster of this magnitude will require tremendous support from many organizations and volunteers from across the nation,” said Derrick Waggoner, Regional President at CoBank. “The recovery effort will be an ongoing process, but CoBank is committed to supporting rural America in times of need. We stand with people in the impacted communities and are proud to partner with Land O’ Lakes and Farm Credit Mid-America to provide a helping hand at this difficult time.”
Several local organizations will receive donations, including: Tennessee Farm Bureau’s Tennessee Farm Disaster Response Fund, Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association (Emergency Assistance Fund), Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (Tennessee Emergency Response Fund), the 1st Baptist Church of Waverly and the Waverly Church of Christ.
CoBank, Land O’Lakes, Inc. and Farm Credit Mid-America also noted that several regional area member co-ops, including Tennessee Farmers Cooperative, United Farm and Home Co-op and the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, immediately stepped up to support their communities. “Our member co-ops have been sending us news from the front lines in these rural communities and are letting us know how best we can help. They are on the ground as we speak, helping their members and communities deal with tremendous loss and tragedy. What you are seeing, co-ops working together with other co-ops to support rural communities, is what makes this cooperative model so special,” says Morgan Kinross-Wright, VP Community Relations, Land O’Lakes, Inc.
