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In the aftermath of the flooding disaster, donors have stepped up to help the state's farmers and ranchers.

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This spring, Nebraska has seen what has been described as the most widespread disaster in the state's history. The pictures shared on social media throughout March tell the story: widespread flooding for communities along the Niobrara, Missouri, Platte, Elkhorn and other rivers in Nebraska. At its peak, more than 75% of Nebraska counties declared an emergency because of flooding.

As the waters receded, communities, businesses, and farmers and ranchers began to get a grasp on the extent of the damage — more than $400 million to the cattle sector, more than $440 million to the crop sector and more than $85 million in damage to private homes and businesses.

However, farmers and ranchers have shown that they are resilient, and they look out for each other — no matter how far away. This spring, producers from across the U.S. stepped up to help their fellow farmers and ranchers, donating hay, fencing supplies, medicine and other supplies to those affected by flooding. These donations have come from as far away as Ohio, New York, Idaho and Texas.

But it isn't just producers who have shown their support. We've gathered a few photos to help illustrate how producers, volunteers, Nebraska state troopers, National Guardsmen and others have chipped in to provide relief for farmers and ranchers affected by the flooding.

About the Author(s)

Tyler Harris

Editor, Wallaces Farmer

Tyler Harris is the editor for Wallaces Farmer. He started at Farm Progress as a field editor, covering Missouri, Kansas and Iowa. Before joining Farm Progress, Tyler got his feet wet covering agriculture and rural issues while attending the University of Iowa, taking any chance he could to get outside the city limits and get on to the farm. This included working for Kalona News, south of Iowa City in the town of Kalona, followed by an internship at Wallaces Farmer in Des Moines after graduation.

Coming from a farm family in southwest Iowa, Tyler is largely interested in how issues impact people at the producer level. True to the reason he started reporting, he loves getting out of town and meeting with producers on the farm, which also gives him a firsthand look at how agriculture and urban interact.

Curt Arens

Editor, Nebraska Farmer

Curt Arens began writing about Nebraska’s farm families when he was in high school. Before joining Farm Progress as a field editor in April 2010, he had worked as a freelance farm writer for 27 years, first for newspapers and then for farm magazines, including Nebraska Farmer.

His real full-time career, however, during that same period was farming his family’s fourth generation land in northeast Nebraska. He also operated his Christmas tree farm and grew black oil sunflowers for wild birdseed. Curt continues to raise corn, soybeans and alfalfa and runs a cow-calf herd.

Curt and his wife Donna have four children, Lauren, Taylor, Zachary and Benjamin. They are active in their church and St. Rose School in Crofton, where Donna teaches and their children attend classes.

Previously, the 1986 University of Nebraska animal science graduate wrote a weekly rural life column, developed a farm radio program and wrote books about farm direct marketing and farmers markets. He received media honors from the Nebraska Forest Service, Center for Rural Affairs and Northeast Nebraska Experimental Farm Association.

He wrote about the spiritual side of farming in his 2008 book, “Down to Earth: Celebrating a Blessed Life on the Land,” garnering a Catholic Press Association award.

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