When the catastrophic August flood devastated parts of south Louisiana, many of the state’s farmers and ranchers left their fields to assist others.

About 30 Louisiana Farm Bureau volunteers traveled to Denham Springs to help their neighbors. Farmers and volunteers from across the state teamed up to grill burgers and provide meals for nearly 1,500 residents and relief workers in Livingston Parish. 

“We did as many as 1,200 or 1,500 burgers before one o’clock today and it’s been a tremendous turnout,” said Scott Wiggers, second vice president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation. “A lot of volunteers have helped us. We’re just trying to give a meal to people who are tearing down their homes and doing all the hard work. We’re trying to feed them and help them get on with their lives.”

Farm Bureau volunteers didn’t stop there. Billy Doiron, Livingston Parish Farm Bureau member, delivered lunches to homes of those affected in the area.

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“I’m just out delivering burgers for people working, and we’re just trying to help them out any way that we can,” Doiron said. “This past week I’ve been helping out my family, they lost parts of their homes. So, we’re just trying to help them out and this is one less thing for them to worry about.”

Ronnie Anderson, president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau, said the story is the same across the area. Farmers and ranchers are doing their part to help their neighbors in times of need.

“We’ve got farmers that are taking their (cane) planting crews from the field and bringing them over to help strip houses because it’s too wet to plant,” Anderson said.

Doiron said it’s a blessing to have Farm Bureau’s help in a tough time for their family.

“It’s really great to see Farm Bureau come together and feed these people,” Doiron said. “It’s just unbelievable how they all come together to try to help everybody.  It really brings out the best in everybody.”

“I think it’s the idea that somebody cares,” Anderson added. “They know they’re in trouble. The worst thing in something like this is to be forgotten. And they know we care.”