Washblog || Links to Info on Farm Flooding/Devastation in SW Washington

Links to Info on Farm Flooding/Devastation in SW Washington

By noemie maxwell
Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 09:34:38 AM PST
Section: Lewis County Topic: Environmental issues

From a listserv on food and agriculture issues:

Below the fold are links to several sources of information on ways people can help either directly or financially with the recovery efforts for Washington farms.

Southern Washington Flood Relief blog
Donations for Flooded Washington Farmers

Tilth Producers of Washington
Tilth Producers
"Tilth Producers is gathering information about losses and critical needs of Tilth Producers members and the Sustainable Agriculture Community and helping match them with other folks who are in a position to help out those who have lost so much."

Olyblog
Update for Farm Aid for Local Farms
OlyBlog provides periodic updates on ways people can assist in the recovery effort. Volunteers will be needed for months to help clean up and repair homes and farms. Anyone thinking of volunteering should read the link above and especially heed the warnings that the flooded areas are not safe for children and anyone planning to assist with mud removal should plan to suit up before getting out of your car or truck. And bring a strong garbage bag to store mud-caked clothes when you're done.

For anyone planning to go down to the flood area, see the links at the bottom for videos of the damage and recovery efforts. In addition to hands-on help, greatest need now is for cash. Here are four options for sending financial assistance:

Olympia Farmers Market
To support the dozen or more farms that sell through the Olympia Farmers Market, go to their website and scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "Donate" Olympia Farmers Market

Boistfort Valley Farm
This was one of the hardest hit organic farms in the area. To donate directly to Boistfort Valley Farm, go to the following link and click on "Your Donation Gratefully Accepted" Boistfort Valley Farm.

Neighborhood Farmers Market Association
The Association has established a relief fund for farmers who sell through the seven markets they manage in Seattle. Their website has an address for sending donations and will soon have details on how farmers can apply for assistance: Farmer Fund.

ONLINE VIDEOS

For people with high-speed Internet connections, below are links to videos with images and stories that bring home the scope of the disaster and recovery efforts:

It will take years and millions of dollars for Southwest Washington communities to recover from the floods. Any assistance you can provide will be most welcome.

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Links to Info on Farm Flooding/Devastation in SW Washington | 2 comments (2 topical)

Disaster Food Assistance Program info

Wasn't sure where to put this, so will place it here and also at the earlier story of my experience in Pacific County.

for Grays Harbor and Lewis Counties, authorized for individual disaster relief, the food stamp disaster program is enacted, which has more generous eligibility rules and benefit amounts.

link to video at KING 5 of Governor Gregoire introducing DSHS Secretary Robin Arnold-Williams and hear it first hand as she explains the program.
http://www.king5.com/video/index.html?nvid=199879

Raw: Wash. DSHS head talks about food stamps after flooding December 10th, 2007
Robin Arnold-Williams, head of Washington Department of Social and Health Services, briefs the public on food stamp availability and crisis counseling after last week's flooding.

note: At this time it is applicable only in Grays Harbor and Lewis Counties for people who Live and/or Work in those two counties.

On the Surge in Iraq "--we have set the bar so low it's buried in the sand at this point." - Barack Obama

by Lietta Ruger on Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 11:14:35 AM PST

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FEMA added Thurston, Mason and Pacific Counties

FEMA grants flood relief to 3 more counties
report at KING 5 news, Sat, Dec 15, 2007

link is to KING 5 Top Stories, so I don't know how long the url link will work - try google. It is also an AP story so should show up in other places.

05:57 PM PST on Saturday, December 15, 2007 Associated Press and KING 5 NEWS
OLYMPIA, Wash. - Gov. Chris Gregoire says the federal government has added Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties to the federal disaster declaration for the storm and flooding that began Dec. 1.
The governor said Saturday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will help individuals and business owners affected by storm damage. FEMA previously granted individual assistance for Grays Harbor and Lewis counties on Dec. 9.
Individual assistance helps residents and business owners with housing assistance, small business loans, crisis counseling and other programs.

On the Surge in Iraq "--we have set the bar so low it's buried in the sand at this point." - Barack Obama

by Lietta Ruger on Sun Dec 16, 2007 at 08:44:12 AM PST

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Links to Info on Farm Flooding/Devastation in SW Washington | 2 comments (2 topical)