The FruitGuys’ Post

Though I rarely post on Linkedin, I am here regularly, absorbing the insights of those I admire. I post now because The Ag Community in Vermont needs more from the companies, individuals, and associations who work here or have visited, benefitted, or simply appreciate Vermont values. We need folks to come to the aid of damaged Vermont’s farms. The catastrophic storms of 2023 and 'wrong' weather throughout the winter into spring this year caused and continues to cause more than $45 million in losses to Vermont family farms. The devastation done to these farms is largely invisible - crops lost, infrastructure damaged or destroyed, and seasons of set-backs.  With ongoing, all-volunteer help from partners and supporters listed below, we're hoping to raise as much cash as we can to help offset the profound losses Vermont farmers have experienced. Learn more, share this post, AND make a donation to the farmers in the county you care about most at www.digdeepvt.com. Thank you, Vermont Community Fund, NOFA, and The State of Vermont for assistance provided to date. But it is simply not enough to ensure feed, crops to sell, infrastructure repair, and a viable future. Please. And thank you for those who are championing DIGDEEPVT now: @Ski Vermont/Vermont Ski Areas Association @Association of Vermont Credit Unions @Farm Credit East, ACA @Farrell Distributing @Driven Studio | Certified B Corporation® Studio | Certified B Corporation® @Image Relay | Certified B Corporation® @Unified Strategies Public Relations Network @Givio

BIG NEWS: For the past decade, Drought Angels has been a lifeline for Aussie farmers, offering unwavering support through some of the toughest times. When our small charity took its first steps ten years ago, the grip of drought held our nation tight. Across Australia, farmers fought tirelessly against an unrelenting dry spell; but as history has shown us, every drought eventually yields. However, this often makes way for floods which are equally devastating. As we reflect on our journey and look ahead, we recognise that we have weathered many storms and our mission has grown beyond just aiding through drought conditions. We’ve expanded our services to meet the evolving needs of the farming community, ensuring we’re there to support not just through drought, but through any hardship they face. Today, we are proud to announce that we will be changing our name to Farm Angels. This rebrand to Farm Angels better represents the extensive range of support we provide and signifies our commitment to standing with our farmers, no matter the challenge. We believe the new name will help convey the full scope of our support and reinforce our dedication to those who sustain our nation. The conditions are tough, and so are our farmers, but just because they can handle a lot, doesn’t mean they should have to. While there’s never an easy day on the land, Farm Angels helps to make the really tough days a little easier. As we near the end of the financial year, remember to support our farmers through a tax-deductible donation via our website to help Farm Angels continue our important work that is needed always. www.farmangels.org.au #farmangels #droughtangels #rebrand #aussiefarmers #eofy #charity

Land has a visceral power. There is an alchemy in the ability of minerals, microbes, and organic matter to transform into food, clothing, and shelter. While less than 2% of Americans are farmers, we all participate in this magic every time we eat or wear a sweater or sleep under a roof. But the soil that makes this possible is under threat. Oregon’s amazing land use program has slowed the sprawl onto this nonrenewable resource for 50 years, but we’ve still paved tens of thousands of acres - including much of our best soils. Between 2017-2022, Oregon lost 660,000 acres, about 4% of its ag land. Become an OAT Cultivator today and join a special group of Oregonians committed to protecting agricultural land for generations to come. Your monthly contribution helps ensure working lands remain “For Ag. Forever” across our beloved state. There’s never been a better time to become a monthly Cultivator - all donations up to $5,000 will be generously matched by Land O'Lakes, Inc.! https://lnkd.in/d_YunMwz

As you may have heard on the news, the Texas Panhandle has been fighting devastating fires in many rural areas. The fires have been responsible for the death of more than 7,000 cattle with final numbers estimated to reach 10,000. It is reported that the fires have blazed across nearly 1.5 million acres of grasslands. Even if the cattle survive the initial fires, their struggle is not over. Injury, food scarcity, lack of fencing, and access to water still stand the foreground of recovery. The outcomes of the fires are truly devastating to the area. Superior Ag has committed to donating relief resources to the Texas Panhandle. To help with the relief efforts, Superior Ag will be sending a shipment of feed to Canadian, TX towards the end of this month. We are asking community members to donate bales of hay to accompany our feed donation. If you would like to donate hay, it can be dropped off at the Superior Ag Dale Feed Store, March 11-23, during normal business hours (Monday through Friday 7 a.m.-4 p.m. or Saturday 7-11 a.m. CST). Name, number and type of bales, and type of hay will be recorded at time of drop off. JST, LLC Trucking out of Halls, TN, has agreed to donate the cost of freight to deliver these donations to Canadian AH&N Ranch Supply Fire Relief Location in Canadian, TX. If you would like to donate other resources, visit the website below to see what resources are still needed. https://lnkd.in/g3mPqWXU

Flames have torn through farms, leaving nothing but ash and devastation in their wake. For our wildlife ranchers, the destruction is unimaginable. Livestock left without food, and wildlife habitats obliterated. Families and workers are left standing amidst the ruins of their homes and businesses, unsure of how to begin rebuilding. Imagine waking up to this devastation, with nothing but the clothes on your back, wondering how you’ll feed your children, your employees, or the animals that depend on you. Every bit of help counts — and that’s where we come in. Your donations will be used to transport essential feed and supplies to these hard-hit areas. It’s not just about feeding livestock; it’s about providing hope in a time of despair. The need is urgent, and together, we can make a meaningful difference to those who have lost everything. Let’s come together to help rebuild what these fires have destroyed. Every donation brings hope, food, and a chance to start again. Donate: https://lnkd.in/gt2hfkAa #BeTheDifference #WRSAFoundation #BeTheBeacon #WRSAFoundation #wildaboutranching #WRSA #Wildliferanching #ourgame #conservation #sustainable

Are you looking for a way to help Texas Panhandle farmers and ranchers devasted by the wildfires? I connected with Erica Irlbeck today about four tips to consider before you give. Texas Tech Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources #wildfires #Panhandlewidlfires #donations

I am taking the liberty to share the letter from the Buffalo Field Campaign's latest newsletter. "We the People” Must Stand Up for the Sacred Buffalo Once again, we are witnessing the direct impact the government's plan has on buffalo’s natural behavior. After either killing or removing almost one-third of the entire Yellowstone population last winter, the buffalo no longer migrate to their National Forest winter range unless survival compels them to move. With little snow falling this winter, no buffalo have migrated into Gardiner basin. In Hebgen basin, less than 30 buffalo have migrated with 18 hunted or harvested on the National Forest, and the rest retreating to where they cannot be taken. We often forget that Yellowstone's Central herd started with 23 buffalo, survivors of the 30 to 60 million that once roamed wild across North America. The Yellowstone ecosystem is a high-elevation plateau. To survive winter, buffalo must migrate to the river valleys and basins in Montana. The buffalo have no future under this Montana livestock industry plan that manages for their extinction in the state. It is time we take a good hard look at what the buffalo need to secure a future for them. It hurts my heart to watch these buffalo change their lifeways just to avoid extinction. It is time that "We the People" stand up for these sacred beings. We need to honor the original animals and peoples by treating their long-term needs for survival with a sense of urgency, and as our highest priority. With the Buffalo, Mike Mease Campaign Coordinator ++++ I have been following their amazing work for some time and just wanted to share this latest update. Apparently, about one-third of the Yellowstone population of Buffalo were killed last winter. And so now, the buffalo no longer migrate to their National Forest winter range unless survival compels them to move. We will be holding the Yellowstone Buffalo in our next #ecologicalhealingcircle for sure, along with the #RightWhales, and the Swiss #Wolves. So many creatures are being harmed. #ecologicalhealingcircle https://lnkd.in/eXYKTAZv

🍂🍞 Click the link to our latest newsletter and view our Fall Menu! 🍞🍂 Did you know "Congratulations" are in order? Read more about it 👇👇 #GRO #NonProfit #Marketing #Newsletter #FallMenu #SourdoughBread https://icont.ac/50bPX

Check out these 5 things #nonprofits and #libraries can do with Mobile Beacon hotspots, via the #TechSoupBlog: http://spr.ly/60439YpJJ #NPTech #LibraryTech #Library

Please take a second to read this post and help our neighbors in the South devastated by Helene. This is a local farming family where I live in NE Ohio who has a beautiful farm to fork operation. These are good, salt of the earth people who are trying to help other farmers who are relying on their livestock to feed their community and support their families in a desperate time of need. If you can help in any way, please do. No farms, no food. #lovethyneighborasthyself #womenofsteel 🚨 WE NEED YOUR HELP Unless ya’ll live under a rock, you’ve seen the devastation that’s happened in the south. And we believe that those who are able to help should do so, with generous hearts, and step up when able to help those who need HELP. The words we’ve received from a family friend who lives down there, is that their need is HAY for their area farms. Well, the south NEEDS help! In an effort to help our brothers and sisters in the south and their livestock, we are filling a trailer FULL OF HAY to drive down Oct 15th This trailer costs $2,500 to get down there. Ways to help from afar: •Cost of one big square : $80 (donate cost to @kelton-keller Venmo) •Cost of small squares: $7 ( donate cost to @kelton-keller Venmo) …. Put HURRICANE in the memo note … & YES! Your $7 CAN help buy more HAY. Nothing is too small bc it will all help us BUY hay that is desperately needed. DO YOU HAVE HAY: We can take physical hay donations, too. There is a massive shortage of hay in this area (NE Ohio), so we need to expand our search of help. We will be traveling south down 64 & 77 thru West Virginia and Virginia. If you can think of someone along that route, SHARE THIS POST! We need HAY & finances to buy more HAY. We get enough, we could even buy a semi from the west and have it trucked over. FREE ways to HELP: #SHARETHISPOST WANT TO FILL A TRAILER AND FOLLOW US: email kelton@tlkellermeats.com Can we please use the internet FOR GOOD and share posts to engage action that’s going to help RENEW what’s been destroyed?!? For God so LOVED. John 3:16 “And on the 8th day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, “I need a caretaker.” So God made a farmer.”