Ag groups have announced measures to support western Kentucky farmers impacted by the weekend tornadoes.
The state Ag Department, Kentucky Farm Bureau, and university extension are leading the efforts. Donations to the “Kentucky Ag Disaster Fund” will be distributed through grants.
The groups are also coordinating efforts to identify the greatest need for farms impacted by the storms.
Ag Commissioner Ryan Quarles says that the best thing for farmers to do right now is to contact their extension office for immediate help. He calls the destruction “overwhelming.”
According to Commissioner Quarles, “It is hard to assess the economic damage that this 200 plus [mile] path through Kentucky caused... What we’re seeing is multiple grain systems completely toppled over, damaged beyond repair. We know at least a dozen chicken barns which have been flattened, and of course, we’re dealing and assisting with the depopulation of those poultry facilities. We’re also seeing equipment dealerships that were completely pummeled, and we can only know that the cost of repair is going to go up as we learn more about this unprecedented and deadly activity we had over the weekend.”
Recovery and rebuilding are expected to take a significant amount of time because so many materials are not readily available.
Related:
Tornadoes destroy University of Kentucky ag research station