When the Storm Hits Home: Our Farming Family & Hurricane Helene

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we’re standing alongside our clients and friends, witnessing the devastation this storm has brought to the heart of the farming community. The trail of destruction across the southeastern United States and its impact on agricultural communities is impossible to ignore. As a company deeply connected to this industry, we feel it’s crucial to shed light on the situation and offer ways for our community to help.

Click Here to Donate to Florida Farm Bureau’s Hurricane Helene Relief Fund for Agriculture

Click Here to Donate to Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association’s Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Fund

The Scale of Impact

The scale of the damage is staggering. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that Hurricane Helene has affected more than 4.8 million acres of farmland, impacting more than 38,000 crop insurance policies. These numbers are not just statistics. They represent the livelihoods of thousands of hardworking farmers and their families, whose futures now hang in the balance.

Facing the Challenges Head-On

Our farmers are no strangers to adversity, but Hurricane Helene introduced challenges beyond anything we’ve ever seen. The impact is widespread and severe, from Georgia’s cotton fields to North Carolina’s poultry farms. From speaking with our clients on the ground, we’ve learned about the extent of the damage:

• Entire cotton and pecan crops lost in parts of Georgia

• Significant damage to poultry houses across multiple states

• Widespread flooding and infrastructure damage in North Carolina

• Preliminary estimates suggest agricultural damages could exceed $125 million in Southwest Virginia alone

And this is just the beginning. The full extent of the damage continues to unfold across the region.

The Road to Recovery

The path forward will not be easy, but if there’s one thing we know about our agricultural community, it’s their resilience. Some of the challenges ahead include:

• Replanting destroyed crops

• Rebuilding damaged infrastructure

• Addressing soil erosion and long-term land impacts

• Recovering from livestock losses

These tasks are daunting, but they’re not insurmountable. With support from the wider community and industry partners, our farmers will rebuild and recover.

How We Can Help

At SI EQ, we’re committed to standing with our agricultural partners as they rebuild from Hurricane Helene’s devastation. Here’s how you can join us in providing direct help:

1. Donate to the Florida Farm Bureau or Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association: These organizations are leading relief efforts for affected farmers. You can donate directly to their Hurricane Helene relief funds at the following links:

1. FFB: Hurricane Helene Relief Fund for Agriculture 

2. TCA: Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Effort - Tennessee

2. Donation Matching: To maximize the impact of your support, we will match every dollar donated up to $2,000. Simply email a screenshot of your donation receipt to [email protected], and we’ll ensure your contribution is matched dollar for dollar.

3. Spreading Awareness: By sharing this blog and encouraging others to contribute, you can help amplify these relief efforts and bring much-needed resources to those affected.

Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to recovery. Together, we can help the agricultural community rebuild stronger than ever.