On the morning of July 28, 2022 eastern Kentucky awoke to find the landscape of this area changed forever from historic flooding. Lives were lost, multiple homes and business were destroyed cars flooded or washed away and many of our farms were damaged or destroyed including livestock losses, structures, and equipment and feed loss.  It’s estimated that in the 4 Counties that had the most severe flooding, Breathitt, Knott, Letcher and Perry, that more than 5000 homes were damaged beyond repair and more than 400 farms were impacted. 85 of these farms were in Knott County.

     Agents immediately began receiving numerous calls, not from flood victims, but from people that wanted to assist the farmers that were impacted. There was never any doubt that Extension would respond and assist but the question was how. We had to find storage buildings and locations to house feed and other items that were on their way to us. We had to figure out how best to distribute these donations and donated funds. From this, rose one of the largest team efforts that I have ever been involved with.

     Our main objective was to find a location to house donations. The ANR Agent in Breathitt County and local leadership were able to secure a 43,000 sq. ft. warehouse. Working with Mountain Cattlemen Association Leadership, also another location was secured, in Perry County to use as a donation drop-off. The donations started rolling in just a few days as soon as the centers became setup and staffed by extension agents and volunteers. Over a four month period we received 10 tractor trailer loads of feed, more than 4000 square bales of hay, more than 2500 round bales of hay, fencing supplies and many other farm items. These items came in from as far away as Colorado and South Carolina. We also had donations come in from other states icluding W. Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, and Indiana and from all across Kentucky.   

     With the assistance of some of our co-workers, who had recently been through a similar disaster, we modified a needs assessment they had used successfully. This needs assessment was used to identify farmers who had immediate needs. We advertise on local media outlets for farmers to request one of these assessments, fill it out and return it to your local Extension Office. We used these needs assessments to make sure farmers that were affected got some assistance. Also with donated funds, using a percentage of loss, each farmer that filled out this form received a direct payment based on the percentage of farm loss. We had more than $160,000 in cash donations to give out. 98 farmers received some direct payment amount. All these funds were ran through the Mountain Cattlemen Association.  As efforts continue into the spring were able to provide over 10,000 lbs of grass seed to farmers for pasture and hayfields. 

Many long term projects are happening to continue to support these farms recover, to date, more than $400,000 in total of donations has been given out to farmers who had flood damage.  Countless volunteers and Extension Agents assisted with this effort and are still assisting. We know this was just a small and we couldn’t totally replace what was lost. But we know without our efforts sustained farmers who would have probably just gave up on farming forever. We gave them enough to hang on until they got back on their feet.

     Besides all of the above, the Knott County Extension Service opened their office as a location for farm supplies needed for flooded farm families who needed supplies.  The Knott County ANR Agent along with extension volunteer agriculture leaders was instrumental in giving out over $25,000.00 worth of donated items including all types of fencing supplies, 5,000 square bales of hay, and over 600 bags of livestock feed.       

      The disaster definitely pulled a region together, working to the goal of uplifting families who were in need, in such desperate times. Many new faces became familiar with the Knott County Extension Service through its efforts. Many people appreciated all the efforts that Extension Service has assisted with during this disaster. We are a team, this proved how important cooperative extension is throughout the communities we serve.