Recently, North Carolina Farm Bureau (NCFB) and Baptists on Mission (BOM) joined forces in the new People Helping People partnership. The new program gives rural residents a better, quicker way to help their farmer neighbors recover after natural disasters.
North Carolina is no stranger to devastating storms that cause loss of property and even loss of life. But when a hurricane, flood or tornado strikes a farm, it can bring cut-off fields, toppled fences and ruined buildings that disrupt a business and a home. Farmers and their families are eager to help out when disaster strikes, but logistics often stand in the way.
“We wanted something tangible to say, ‘This is how you can help,’” NCFB President Shawn Harding says. “I think People Helping People is an exciting partnership as far as feeling like we’re ready when the storm comes, having a group that’s ready to hit ground running and having equipment ready to go. BOM likes helping farmers and farmers like helping them, so it’s a great partnership.”
See more: Farm Families Find Hope After Hurricane Florence
BOM and NCFB Create People Helping People
Within the program, BOM can help identify needs, provide communication and support, remove debris, and access locations that have been blocked off. NCFB will contribute financial and volunteer resources to support BOM’s commitment to helping farmers recover after a disaster.
NCFB has a long history of supporting agriculture and rural communities through direct and indirect support and in affiliation with several partner organizations. This work has been accomplished mainly through the NCFB Foundation. Over the past few years, NCFB and BOM have developed an outstanding working relationship. They come together on shared passions anda mission to meet the needs of rural communities.
“Baptists on Mission Disaster Relief is happy to partner with Farm Bureau to offer farmers in North Carolina support following natural disasters,” says Jimmy Lawrence, a long-time disaster relief and recovery volunteer with BOM.
See more: How to Prepare for the Calm Before the Storm
Weathering Storms Together
Baptists on Mission (BOM) has decades of experience responding to disasters in the state, the U.S. and around the world. Their volunteers in yellow shirts are widely known as some of the first to be on-site providing hot meals, showers and clean laundry, as well as mud-out, tear-out and chainsaw crews.
“We want to provide more opportunities for farmers to help other farmers get needed supplies and rebuild,” Lawrence says. “It’s all about helping people get back on their feet as quickly as possible.”
