CoBank, Land O’Lakes, Inc. and Farm Credit Mid-America come together to support flood relief efforts in Tennessee
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (August 26, 2021) - Three of the nation’s leading agriculture cooperatives have announced today that they are partnering to support relief efforts in Tennessee, following devastating storms and flooding. CoBank, Land O’Lakes, Inc. and Farm Credit Mid-America will together donate $80,000 of cash and in-kind products to support the communities in Tennessee ravaged by the recent natural disasters.
Local weather reports said that up to 17 inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours in the area around Waverly and Dickson approximately 90 miles west of Nashville. The flood that struck middle Tennessee and the resulting destruction and loss of life on Saturday is unprecedented. “The flood damage throughout the area has been very extensive,” said Tim Williams, senior vice president for Farm Credit Mid-America. “For most of our farmers, harvest conditions were shaping up to be ideal. But many have now lost not only their whole crops, but in many cases livestock, buildings, facilities and equipment.”
“Responding to a natural disaster of this magnitude will require tremendous support from many organizations and volunteers from across the nation,” said Derrick Waggoner, Regional President at CoBank. “The recovery effort will be an ongoing process, but CoBank is committed to supporting rural America in times of need. We stand with people in the impacted communities and are proud to partner with Land O’ Lakes and Farm Credit Mid-America to provide a helping hand at this difficult time.”
Several local organizations will receive donations, including: Tennessee Farm Bureau’s Tennessee Farm Disaster Response Fund, Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association (Emergency Assistance Fund), Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (Tennessee Emergency Response Fund), the 1st Baptist Church of Waverly and the Waverly Church of Christ.
CoBank, Land O’Lakes, Inc. and Farm Credit Mid-America also noted that several regional area member co-ops, including Tennessee Farmers Cooperative, United Farm and Home Co-op and the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, immediately stepped up to support their communities. “Our member co-ops have been sending us news from the front lines in these rural communities and are letting us know how best we can help. They are on the ground as we speak, helping their members and communities deal with tremendous loss and tragedy. What you are seeing, co-ops working together with other co-ops to support rural communities, is what makes this cooperative model so special,” says Morgan Kinross-Wright, VP Community Relations, Land O’Lakes, Inc.
About CoBank
CoBank is a $158 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides commercial loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 75,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country. CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities.
About Land O’Lakes
Land O'Lakes, Inc., one of America's premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2020 annual sales of $14 billion, Land O'Lakes is one of the nation's largest cooperatives, ranking 219 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 100 years of operation, Land O'Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands in agribusiness and food production including Land O’Lakes Dairy Foods, Purina Animal Nutrition, WinField United and Truterra. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O'Lakes, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minnesota.
About Farm Credit Mid-America
Farm Credit Mid-America is a financial services cooperative that has served the credit needs of farmers and rural residents across Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee for more than a century. Backed by the strength of more than $28.8 billion in assets, Farm Credit Mid-America provides loans for real estate, operating, equipment, housing and related services such as crop insurance and vehicle, equipment and building leases. For more information, call 1-800-444-FARM or visit www.e-farmcredit.com.