Farm Aid is activating its Family Farm Disaster Fund as ranchers in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas deal with the impact of massive wildfires that ravaged more than 2 million acres of land and thousands of cattle, taking the lives of several ranchers who worked to protect their animals from the blaze. 

Family farmers have stepped in to help with donations of hay and even a tractor brigade to block the flames, but Farm Aid says ranchers will need long-term, sustained support to recover from the disaster. Donations to Farm Aid’s Family Farm Disaster Fund will go to support groups on the ground that can effectively assess needs and provide direct assistance.

“For ranchers and their rural communities, these fires have been devastating,” said Farm Aid’s Farm Advocate Jennie Msall. “Many of them face damaged homes, charred land, burnt fences, and dead or injured animals. The resulting loss of income has a ripple effect in their communities. The Family Farm Disaster Fund is designed to support the on-the-ground relief efforts in communities, wherever and however they need it most.”

To donate to the Family Farm Disaster Fund, please visit: www.farmaid.org/disasterfund. Every dollar raised will support local recovery funds that provide the resources family farmers and ranchers need to recover. 

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