By JULIA BARATTA

Michigan Correspondent

DOWLING, Mich. — News accounts have been full of heavy losses handed to Nebraska and Iowa farmers during recent flooding, along with other states dealing with weather issues: whole herds of cattle and hogs lost in flash floods, grain bins collapsing, and machinery, buildings, and homes ruined by high water.

While the waters may be receding, the ground is still quite saturated. For those with animals that made it through the floods, there are sickness to work through and some internal damage to the livestock, such as too much fluid in their bodies. Fences have been uprooted, allowing livestock to roam.

In this part of the country, farmers have been collecting, transporting, distributing, and otherwise lending a helping hand during this tragic time. In southwestern Michigan, a team of farmers from across the region are reaching out to neighbors and community members to do what they can to make a Nebraska farmer’s day – or maybe their livelihood.

The anatomy of such a program begins with someone willing to organize the network of resources to complete the job. For the Michigan group, that person is Tish Gorr, a partner with her husband, Jake, in their cattle operation in Dowling. She takes calls and works with willing people to collect the donations, gather them, and load them for the trip to flooded areas.

“There is so much need there,” Gorr said. “We are taking what we can, but the need is going to continue, as the flooding is not expected to stop anytime soon.”

Matthew and Michelle Howe of Athens have opened their farm to the relief donations. At one point, a few dozen round hay bales were in temporary residence on their property.

“Our farm is a gathering place for the donations of hay, supplies, and equipment,” Matthew Howe said. “We’re filling a full trailer today, along with a partial to send out to Nebraska. We are hoping to fill the two.”

Currently, they are looking at their fourth trailer load. Generosity has flowed through the farming communities and many are willing to share, including fuel donations for the trucks that transport the hay and supplies. Word-of-mouth has helped with spreading awareness of the opportunity to provide aid.

Willow Farm LLC’s owners, of Homer, heard about the collection and were ready to donate that day. Tom and Candy Brisendine and their daughter, Kyle, looked over their hay supply and found they were not lacking. As a matter of fact, they gave more than 30 round bales and rallied neighbors to donate, as well.

Another way to donate for this effort is in money. Zak Yoder and his wife, Hannah, of Centreville have been collecting money for the purchase of fencing, feed and other supplies. They have helped before, but this is their first time being directly involved in the relief process. They have been working with a local business and purchasing equipment and supplies to transport to Nebraska.

They would like to try another approach to donating. “We would like to collect the money and actually send it to a business there,” Zak Yoder said. “Then they could work through the local businesses.”

Everyone working together to get these items to Nebraska and elsewhere have an understanding of what the farmers are going through, as their livelihood comes from the ground as well. Anyone who wishes to help may call Yoder, as the contact person for the fundraising efforts, at 269-625-6904.