2 October 2024

Since we survived Hurricane Irma in 2017 in Tampa, and came back to Florida, this time to Tallahassee a few months ago, we experienced our first significant climate emergency last week: Hurricane Helene. While it was predicted that Tallahassee would be hit hard by Helene, eye of the storm shifted 10 miles East after its landfall, sparing us our safety, home and seeds. We were lucky. Our friends, farmers and families in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee were not. Now they need resources and our support. Unprecedented floods made the infrastructure and communication networks collapse in the region, many farms were destroyed, and there is a growing need for access to clean water, food and shelter. 

Here we will post what is available on various websites and what we know are available through our network and word of mouth. Please note that we will do our best to update this list as quickly as possible, when needed. You can click on the links below to donate; if you are able, please do so.

If your farm was impacted by Hurricane Helene, check this essential list and donation link provided by Rural Advancement Foundation International.

@utopianseedproject – This is The Utopian Seed Project’s Venmo account to make donations for food distribution efforts.

Asheville Relief – You can follow the relief efforts and donate here.

ASAP – They support small farmers in Western North Carolina. 

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association – They provide an extensive list for donations and resources.

Help bring water and food to Asheville – Chef Luis Alberto Martinez Cruz cooks for his community. Help him buy ingredients, water and diapers.

World Kitchen – They prepare meals for the communities in the most impacted areas. Help them prepare more meals.

All Hands and Hearts – They bring disaster relief to communities impacted by the hurricane. Donate to help.

Community Foundation of Western North Carolina – They assist long term recovery efforts in Western North Carolina.

Blue Ridge Public Radio – They provide an active list of areas that need donations for Western North Carolina.