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Tilth Producers Disaster Relief Fund Tilth Producers of Washington announces the establishment of the Tilth Producers Disaster Relief Fund (TPDRF) to provide financial assistance to Washington organic and sustainable farmers working to build a healthy equitable local food system. The fund was established following the winter 2007 flooding in Southwest Washington and will provide support to sustainable farmers who have been devastated by storms and/or flooding and have suffered financial hardship as a result. Priority for relief funding is given to current and or recent Tilth Producers members. The Fund’s priorities will change from year to year, depending on current issues and available funding. Monetary support has been provided to TPDRF by concerned businesses, organizations and individuals. The TPDRF Committee will distribute funds through an application process. Applications submitted by February 23rd will be considered in the first round of distributions allocated by February 28th. All other applications are due by March 15th, and a second round of assistance will be distributed by March 31st. If not funded initially, applications will be kept in a pool as long as they meet basic criteria. If future funding rounds for relief are announced, all applicants will be notified. Future allocations depend on the availability of funds donated to TPDRF. Donations for flood relief continue to be accepted via check to the address below, or electronically at: www.networkforgood.org (search for Tilth Producers of Washington). Early applications are encouraged. Please download the fund guidelines and application: Application (MS Word) Application (PDF) Completed applications and any supporting documents can be faxed, mailed or emailed to the Committee. Electronic applications are preferred, but not required. Please send to: Tilth Producers of Washington P.O. Box 85056 Seattle WA 98145 Farmer Relief Funds Choose One or More if You Can (See NEW update on Federal Disaster Relief below) Tilth Producers of Washington Farmer Relief Fund Mail checks to: PO Box 85056 Seattle, WA 98145 For organic& sustainable farmers within the Tilth Producers community Donate on line HERE or just search for Tilth Producers of Washington at www.networkforgood.org Olympia Farmers Market: Donate on line HERE Mail checks to: PO Box 7094 Olympia WA 98501 For growers who sell at Olympia Farmers Market Neighborhood Farmers Market Association Good Farmer Fund Mail checks to: NFMA 4519 ½ University Way NE #200 Seattle, WA 98105 For growers who sell at Seattle markets Mail checks to: Organic Valley Art Wedig Relief Fund One Organic Way LaFarge, WI 54639 Earmarked for organic dairy farmers in Washington Washington Farm Bureau: Mail checks to: Washington Farm Bureau PO Box 8690 Lacey, A 98509 Call United Way of Lewis County at 360-748-8100 Make a donation to KING-5 Northwest Response at any US Bank branch Mail a check to: American Red Cross Northwest Response PO Box 19640 Seattle, WA 9810 Community Farmers Market Fund for market vendors c/o 351 NW North St Chehalis WA 98532 Lewis County 4-H Flood Relief c/o 351 NW North St Chehalis WA 98532 or deposit funds directly into to acct# 5570118at the Washington State Employees Credit Union or other branch sharing credit unions. Federal Disaster Assistance Storm Damage Relief for Farmers and Ranchers http://www.fsa.usda.gov/wa Farmers and ranchers who have experienced damage from recent storms in Western Washington have a number of options for disaster relief. Local County Emergency Management is the first point of contact. However, private organizations, state and federal agencies also may be of assistance. Please report agricultural damage to your local Farm Service Agency office. The Farm Service Agency has three programs that may be of assistance: 1. Emergency Loans (provides low-interest loans) 2. Emergency Conservation Program (provides cost-share for debris removal, repair of fences and other conservation practices) 3. Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (similar to crop insurance for crops in which insurance is unavailable.) Currently, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties have received a Presidential Disaster Designation, which makes farmers in those, and adjacent counties, potentially eligible for Emergency Loans. More counties may be designated as damage assessments are made. Update on Federal Disaster Relief - 01/12/2008 - Click link below: Agricultural Disaster Assistance Programs Extended to Cover December Storm Losses Update 12/14/07 - A Presidential Disaster Designation for northern Oregon counties makes the Emergency Loan program available in Clark County. Westside [WA] counties covered by Presidential Disaster Designations to date include: Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston and Wahkiakum.   If you are an organic/sustainable farmer who needs help, email Tilth Producers at nancy@tilthproducers.org If you have organic seed, animal feed, soil amendments, etc. to spare, email Tilth Producers at nancy@tilthproducers.org Join a Work Party to Help Farmers in Need We've created an on-line discussion board to facilitate communication about farmers in need. Follow THIS LINK to go to the forum. Tilth Producers of Washington, a Chapter of Washington Tilth Association, is the premier organic farming and sustainable agriculture organization of Washington State. A membership organization of over 400 Washington growers, Tilth Producers fosters and promotes ecologically sound, sustainable agriculture in the interest of environmental preservation, human health and social equity. Sign up to Receive Email Messages from Tilth Producers From time to time, Tilth Producers will send you important and timely email messages, action alerts and announcements. Enter your email address below, click "submit" and follow the simple instructions.You can come here at any time to unsubscribe or change your subscription options if you wish. Enter Your Email :       Nancy Allen, Administrative Director Ph. 206-442-7620 FAX: 206-524-7702 nancy@tilthproducers.org Contact Us    Please report website problems to: webweaver@tilthproducers.org