wfn.org | ELCA Helps Mid-Atlantic Farmers Endure Drought

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

September 10, 1999

ELCA HELPS MID-ATLANTIC FARMERS ENDURE DROUGHT
99-227-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- A severe drought has singed farmland in
Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia,
West Virginia, and states in the New England area this summer.  These
areas may be declared disaster sites, said the Rev. Gilbert B. Furst,
director of Lutheran Disaster Response, a ministry of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
(LCMS).
     "From Boston to Miami, rainfall totals are 50 to 80 percent below
normal levels," reported Furst.  "Farmers throughout the region have
written off many summer crops."
     Furst said more than 7,000 family farms in New Jersey have
reported crop loss.  Half of Connecticut's farmers could lose their
crops.   In West Virginia it is predicted that 1,000 to 2,000 fewer
farmers will be in the beef and dairy businesses next year, he said.
     "In many states corn stalks that should tower overhead stand only
knee-high.  Farmers using the last of their hay are wondering how
they'll feed their livestock this winter," Furst said.
     "Farmers, a fair share of them members of our congregations, face
a disastrous harvest this fall and a long, difficult recovery in the
months and years ahead," said the Rev. David R. Strobel, bishop of the
ELCA Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, Wescosville, Pa.
     Strobel said the effects of the drought on farm families are
financial, emotional and spiritual.  Other people who depend on
sufficient rainfall, such as those in nurseries, landscapers and
employees of lawn maintenance firms, are facing similar difficulties, he
said.
     To address the effects of the drought on family farmers, Strobel
said, "We can do what God's people do best.  First, pray ... pray for
rain and pray for the well-being of our farm families and all those
impacted by the drought."  He suggested also to reach out to farm
families with "care and compassion."
     Staff of the ELCA Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod has developed a
list of "helpful ways" in which members of the church can minister to
those who are experiencing the "devastation of one of the worst droughts
on record," Strobel said.
     Items on the list include prayer, listening to family farmers
describe their situations, organizing support groups, inviting farmers
to get involved in other non-farming activities, and encouraging farmers
and others to contact state and national agricultural departments to
urge assistance -- financial or otherwise -- for those most affected by
the drought.
     Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is working with ELCA bishops,
LCMS district presidents and pastors to encourage meetings with farmers
and rural community leaders to listen and discern ways to work together,
said Furst.  LDR works with farm service agencies, U.S. Department of
Agriculture and other federal and state entities to access the
assistance designated for the agricultural crises, he said.
     LDR is working with the Orphan Grain Train -- a volunteer network
that gathers donations of clothing, medicine, food, literature and other
items in response to human need -- to prepare for a delivery of hay to
farmers in the mid-Atlantic area.
     "Orphan Grain Train is organizing a hay-lift of three huge
truckloads from Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin," said Furst.
"This may be only a symbol of assistance, but it will let people know
their brothers and sisters in Christ are not overlooking their crisis."
     Orphan Grain Train has worked with Lutheran Disaster Response to
provide personal and material resources to people affected by floods,
blizzards and tornadoes in such places as Minnesota, North Dakota,
Oklahoma and South Dakota.
     "In addition to prayers for rain relief in the east," Furst asked
members of the ELCA to "remember farm families who are affected by the
ongoing economic challenges and the hardships of weather crises, as well
as those who are present in the name of Jesus Christ to offer care and
help for farmers and rural leaders."

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DOMESTIC DISASTERS:

Editors: When listing organizations receiving funds for aid to survivors
of major disasters inside the United States, Puerto Rico or the U.S.
Virgin Islands, please include:

                 Lutheran Disaster Response
                       P.O. Box 71764
                   Chicago, IL  60694-1764
                        800-638-3522
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For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html