The owners of Ashley Businesses are joining forces with Marion County Church to help Florida farmers and ranchers impacted by Hurricane Ian.
Nate Fox and Ashley Barr, owners and operators of Herd Livestock, have begun collecting items to donate to farmers and ranchers in southwest Florida. Fox and Barr have built a trailer at The Shepherd’s Fellowship at 1647 Marysville Road in Marion and are currently accepting donations. They plan to head south in October. On the 24th, supplies were delivered to farmers they had been in contact with over the past few weeks.
Fox said the vast majority of relief efforts have been to help people in Florida, and he and Barr want to focus on helping farmers who have lost livestock or animals in desperate need of assistance.
“What we want to do is get supplies and go there and help the animals,” said Fox, whose company specializes in hauling livestock. “If you’re a small farmer, (hurricanes or other natural disasters) can completely destroy your farm. For larger farms, it’s just a very large loss that will take a while to recover. Even on a small farm, you Recovery can also start from it, but it could take years.”
Barr noted that this year has been especially tough for farmers across the country.
“In 2022 alone, we’ve lost a lot of farmers to the drought in Texas and the West. Now seeing dairy farmers hit (by the hurricane), it’s going to take a toll on milk and beef,” she said. Affect the price that goes back to your table. “
Barr said she’s been in touch with southwest Florida farmers and shared what she’s learned from them about their needs.
“Last time we checked, there were 14 horses in Pine Island (in Lee County, Florida, west of Fort Myers) that could not be evacuated before the hurricane hit,” Barr said. “Outside Venice (in Sarasota County, Florida) there are 48 show horses that can’t be evacuated and are still standing in the water. There are a couple of dairy farmers who have lost a lot of cattle and a lot of barns. So we’re aiming for October 24 Daily supplies to fill our horse trailer. It would be great if we had enough donations to fill it up again. Whatever we have left, we will load again and take below.”
Barr has been in touch with the Humane Society branch in southwest Florida, who told her they don’t have more space to accept animals but are seeking financial donations to help those sent to their location. She said she also spoke with a Sarasota County veterinarian who has been working with a livestock operator who lost 200 calves that drowned in floodwaters and more. Many calves suffer from pneumonia.
Fox and Barr said they are receiving donations of hay, sweat feed, bedding, dog and cat food, water and non-perishables. He said financial donations will be accepted so that if people don’t have items available, they can buy them themselves.
Priest. Tom Hepps, pastor of Shepherds Fellowship, where Fox and Barr attend church, said the congregation is excited to help those in need in Florida or anywhere.
“Nate and Ashley have a great heart for those in need,” Hypes said. “When they brought this idea to me, I said of course we wanted to be a part of it. Part of our goal was to help them spread the word about donations. Nate and Ashley left the trailer in the church parking lot, so people “if they wanted to” , items can be donated directly into the trailer. If people want to donate financially, they can donate through (Shepherd’s Scholarship). “
Hypes said donations can be made online through The Shepherd’s Fellowship website, www.tsflife.com. Click the “Donate” tab and designate your donation to “Florida,” Hypes said. He noted that all donations to the project are tax-deductible.
Donations of items or funds will be accepted by October. twenty three.
For information to help with this effort, please contact Fox and Barr through the Herd Livestock Facebook and Instagram pages, or call 614-499-2400.
Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter