Northwest Michigan Farm Bureau members couldn’t sit still and wait, even if most of the storm damage occurred three hours away. They had to help, said Nate Wilson, president of Northwest Michigan Farm Bureau: “It’s what farmers do,” he said.
A March 30 storm uprooted trees, pushed over barns and dropped an inch of hail in some locations. In parts of the northeastern Lower Peninsula, expectations are that some people won’t have power restored for another month.
According to Wilson, area county Farm Bureaus — Northwest, Wexford, Missaukee, Huron Shores, Ogemaw and Benzie-Manistee — helped collect cans of diesel, gallons of gasoline, thousands of AAA batteries, headlamps, generators, Fuji apples and water tanks, among other items.
“Farmers help farmers,” said Wilson, who operates a fruit farm near Kingsley.
He said Northwest Michigan Farm Bureau raised $2,000 for the effort, which went to purchasing those materials. Those supplies were then delivered by Collin and Bryanna Beyers and their farm in Alpena to affected farmers and citizens in Presque Isle and Alpena counties.
“We're always willing to help each other out, and this was just a way to pay it forward,” Wilson continued.
“Somebody always asks, ‘What does my $50 membership get me?’ Well, this is a prime example. In a situation like this, we help each other out, even though we're three hours away from each other.”
Following the storm, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for 10 Michigan counties: Otsego, Oscoda, Montmorency, Presque Isle, Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Mackinac and Alpena. The declaration activates local emergency response and recovery plans via state assistance.
Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan asks affected customers to report their storm by calling 877-324-6764 or by filing a claim here.
“The farm community cares for each other,” said MFB President Ben LaCross. “In times of a weather disaster like what happened in the north, farmers are always willing to lend a hand and share with our neighbors.
"I’m proud that the members of District 9 stepped up with supplies to help.”
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