A devastating ice storm hit Northeast Kentucky in February 2021 and was followed by flooding.   The ice storm left many without power or any amenities for several days and took out large areas of farm fencing when large trees and limbs either broke or were uprooted and fell on the fence.  As local farmers were slowly beginning to get out from under that catastrophe the widespread flooding began. The floods were made worse by the debris from the ice storms that clogged culverts and lodged under bridges. This forced the waters to back up and find other ways around. 

In response to these disasters the Boyd, Carter, Greenup, & Lawrence County Agriculture & Natural Resource Agents organized a storm relief effort to benefit local farmers.  Donations came from across Kentucky and also from Ohio and Pennsylvania.   In addition to requesting hay and fencing supplies, agents also received $9,700 in donations to purchase fencing supplies.   Local farm stores provided a discount on fencing supplies. 

Local farmers who needed assistance were tracked on a One Drive list.  As supplies were received farmers were called to pick up 2 rolls of hay and/or 12 t-posts and a roll of barbed wire or 10 step-in posts and a roll of poly wire.

 To date agents have distributed the following supplies:

Fencing

1. 2,351 steel T-posts
2. 10 wooden posts
3. 400 tread-in posts
4. 199 rolls barbed wire
5. 2 rolls electric wire
6. 40 rolls poly wire

Hay

1. 84 large round bales
2. 71 large square bales
3. 188 small square bales 

The farmers were very appreciative of this assistance for their farm operations. 58 farmers in Lawrence County participated in the flood relief program and received fencing and/or hay.