These resources have been compiled by Grow Appalachia, Community Farm Alliance, the Organic Association of Kentucky, the Kentucky Horticulture Council, the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, the University of Kentucky and other partners.
Please email info@growappalachia.org if you see a resource that should be added to this list.
Financial Resources
- Central Appalachian Family Farm Fund: Flood relief funds managed by the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky and Community Farm Alliance for farmers to request financial support for immediate and long-term farm needs. Apply here.
- Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): Funds to help farmers and ranchers repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters and helps put in place water conservation methods during severe drought.
- The Giving Kitchen: Funds that may pay living expenses (mortgage, rent, utilities) for any food service worker who provides documentation of their employment and a qualifying crisis: illness, injury, death in immediate family, or housing disaster such as flood or fire.
- Emergency Flood Impact Agriculture Security Assistance Grant: the Letcher County Conservation District has allocated funding to assist farmers, producers, and ranchers. Applications available at the Conservation District in Whitesburg, just below the lumber yards. Contact Brenda at 633-4448 to learn more.
- Restaurant Relief Fund: DoorDash has partnered with Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network to create the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund. The fund supports restaurants impacted by natural disasters like fires, floods and hurricanes, and provides relief through $10,000 grants.
- Emergency Relief Funds for Food and Beverage Workers: Funds have been used to pay for essentials like groceries, clothing, and medications, and have covered the cost of rent, natural disaster damages, lost wages, and more. There’s no deadline for requests and no cap on the amount given. Applicants must currently work in the food and beverage industry full-time (30+ hours per week or 60+ hours in a two-week period) for a minimum of 6 consecutive months.
- Southeast Kentucky Sheep and Goat Flood Relief Fund: a Gofundme for donations to support sheep and goat farmers impacted by flooding. Contact SEKSA for more information.
Guides and Best Practices for Navigating Resources
- KDA's Damage Reporting Guide for Agricultural Producers: Resources on how to document farm damage.
- Community Farm Alliance's Farm Flood Disaster Assistance Factsheet: A tool to help you navigate various farm losses and how to apply for FSA disaster financial assistance.
Technical Support
- Grow Appalachia: Consultations on first steps and best uses of farm relief funds for rebuilding as well as support in connecting to other services and resources helping farmers rebuild. Please fill out this form to get in touch.
- University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension: Contact your local county extension agent for more information.
- USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS): If you have had damage to installations funded through the USDA NRCS, we recommend you contact your local NRCS office and report the damage.
Soil, Produce, & Water Safety
- Safety of Food Crops for Human Consumption: A resource guide that provides guidance to growers on how to evaluate the safety of flood-affected food crops for human consumption. This guidance applies to all food crops.
- Kentucky Horticulture Council and Grow Appalachia: Assistance with farm water and soil testing for food safety.
- University of Kentucky's factsheet: assessing your fields after a flood.
Mutual Aid
- Eastern Kentucky Farm Equipment Flood Damage Program: Organized by the Kentucky Horticulture Council, this program is for commercial farmers impacted by the July 2022 flooding events. Funds are to help producers match farm equipment repair needs with repair/refurbishment facilities. Intake form here: For more information about this program please click here.
- Farmer Produce Exchange: Grow Appalachia has developed a spreadsheet for coordinating produce donations and transactions to benefit EKY farmers and organizations who are feeding their communities.
- Free Farmers Markets: World Central Kitchen and the Lee Initiative are organizing free farmers markets in Breathitt, Knott, Letcher, and Perry Counties. Please reach out to your local farmers market for more information.
- Grow Appalachia Farming Network: a Facebook group for farmers to share needs and opportunities as they are available.
- Kentucky Ag Disaster Donation Program – partnership between KDA and UK Extension to distribute supplies to impacted areas. Contact your local Extension Office or Keith Rogers with KDA at KeithL.Rogers@ky.gov
Please email info@growappalachia.org if you see a resource that should be added to this list.
To contact us:
- For technical assistance and resources helping farmers rebuild contact Grow Appalachia - Storey Slone -slones@berea.edu 859-302-3073 and please fill out this form to get in touch.
- For business planning, risk management for future disasters, and general loan and grant funding opportunities contact KCARD - Myrisa Christy - mchristy@kcardky.com 606-765-0915
- For questions related to the Central Appalachian Family Farm Fund and general support contact CFA- Jennifer@cfaky.org 606-216-2000 and Laurie White laurie@cfaky.org 859-428-7961
- For questions related to crop insurance, food safety, and water testing contact the Kentucky Horticulture Council - Cindy Finneseth cindy@kyhortcouncil.org
- For support in connecting to other services and Organic certification questions contact OAK: Brooke Gentile - brooke@oaky-ky.org 502-219-7378
Credits:
Created with images by jdross75 - "smoky mountains during sunset" • Jukov studio - "Farmers holding fresh beetroot in hands on farm at sunset. Woman hands holding freshly bunch harvest. Healthy organic food, vegetables, agriculture, close up" • kite_rin - "Male hands typing on computer keyboard closeup, business man or student using laptop at home, online learning, internet marketing, working from home, office workplace, freelance concept" • highwaystarz - "Close Up Of Farmer Working In Organic Farm Field" • Parilov - "Senior elderly man reclaims soil with hoe on potato field. Concept eco farm vegetable garden"