Farm Credit Funds Local Drought Relief
Donations to Volunteer Fire Departments Pays Off for Thirsty Livestock Farms
LOUISVILLE, KY – December 19, 2007 – In an ongoing effort to relieve drought-stricken livestock farms, Farm Credit Services of Mid-America (FCS) has donated $250 to each local volunteer fire department involved in hauling and pumping farm water from streams and rivers. This donation was made available to volunteer fire departments within FCS’s tri-state service area, including counties in Greene, Sullivan and Washington. The donation supports the area’s “Operating Drought Relief” initiative.
Greene County, the largest county in the Tennessee and home to 15 volunteer fire departments, is a good example of the scale of these efforts. Over 210,000 gallons have already been pumped from local water sources to replenish farm ponds and cisterns in drought stricken areas. Bottled water is also being delivered to families with dry or muddy wells. This effort will be ongoing for several weeks.
“When asked to participate in this operation, our volunteer fire departments did not hesitate to respond to the call,” said Robert May, Chief of the Greene County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments. “Many of our volunteer firefighters are farmers as well, and realize what the lack of water means to our fellow Greene County citizens.”
Farm Credit staff were quick to recognize the desperate situation drought-stricken farmers face, and hope this financial support will have a big impact in local farming communities. “We realize how bad this summer’s drought has been, and how much livestock farms in particular have suffered,” noted Ricky West, vice president – financial services with Farm Credit. “With Farm Credit’s overall commitment to support the communities, it just made sense for us to support this important effort anyway we could.”
Photo Caption
Farm Credit board member Daryl Rowe of Limestone, Tennessee and Farm Credit staff members Ronnie Sartain and Harold Hayes delivered checks to Volunteer Fire departments in Sullivan, Greene and Washington Counties. Pictured here are volunteer firefighters from Greene County. The funds support ongoing drought relief efforts on hard-hit livestock farms in Tennessee.
About Farm Credit Services
Farm Credit Services of Mid-America is a $13 billion financial services cooperative serving over 81,000 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. The association, which celebrated its 90th anniversary serving rural America in 2006, provide loans for all farm and rural living purposes including real estate, operating, equipment and housing and related services such as crop and life insurance and vehicle, equipment and building leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-3276 or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.