Resilient Farmer Fund - Anniversary Fundraiser

**If you are looking to support the Resilient Farmer Fund through tickets to the Paramount Bristol's November 15 concert show, visit www.paramountbristol.org Tickets will be on sale Sept 16th** And thank you!

As partners in rural development, natural resource management and farmer development, we are deeply committed to the success and well being of our region's farmers and food businesses.

In 2024 our community donated nearly $150,000, which ARCD granted out to 35 family farmers who produce for our food system. After one year, there has been incredibly inspiring rebuilding, recovery, and hard work. We also know more about how the soils and landscape were affected by such devastating flooding.

There is much more work to be done to help farmers get back to growing our food, y'all.

More than 1,300 farms were flooded or damaged by Hurricane Helene and the recovery estimate is more than $1.5 billion.

ARCD's Resilient Farmer Fund goes to farmers dedicated to long term recovery of their farm and farming operations.

When making your donation, you choose how to apply 100% of your gift when you check which option you would like, under the donation amount.

• "100% of my donation directly supports farmers" = These funds will go directly to farmers in recovery efforts.
  
  
• "5% of my donation supports the administration of the Resilient Farmer Fund and 95% goes directly to farmers" = 5% of your gift helps ARCD cover our costs providing on-the-ground technical assistance to farmer, reviewing applications and distributing the 95% of funds to farmers in need.

Thank you for helping us reach our goal of $150,000 at the one year anniversary mark. The Tennessee Governor's Response and Recovery Fund has donated $50,000 towards the goal.

More information on how funds will be awarded:

Persons Eligible: Small farmers and food producers in the East Tennessee counties of Johnson, Carter, Cocke, Hamblin, Greene, Sevier, Unicoi and Washington, who have experienced storm-related damages associated with flooding, downed trees, and losses from Hurricane Helene, September 2024.

Long term needs will be applied for on a case by case basis. Farmers will submit an application which will be reviewed by a local committee based on demonstrated need, connection to the local food system, commitment to conservation practices, being a family farm, and commitment to restoring the farm to higher resiliency. Eligible needs include:

• Top Soil replenishment
• River or stream bank stabilization and replanting
• Equipment replacement
• Infrastructure repairs
• Culvert or Bridge repairs
• Farmer Cost-Share portion of government conservation and emergency programs