Wayne brings relief to Neb. farmers

WOOSTER — The Wayne County agriculture community is working together to bring relief to their fellow farmers hundreds of miles away in Nebraska that have been devastated by the recent flooding.

Wayne County 4-H is organizing a supply drive for farming families in Nebraska that have lost nearly everything due to the storm that hit the Midwest on March 13. Referred to as a “bomb cyclone,” the severe weather system was followed by heavy rains and melting snow that caused catastrophic flooding across Nebraska and Iowa.

“Us here and sending supplies out there, it shows that even though we’re so far apart, we are a giant family,” said Sarah Tallmadge of the Ohio Farm Bureau in Wayne County.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts reported on Wednesday that the cost of damages has risen to over $1.3 billion in his state alone.

4-H Clubs across Wayne County are coming together to encourage individuals and businesses to donate items such as iodine, gloves and OB sleeves, livestock probiotics, vet wrap, Blu-Kote, electrolytes, fencing materials, halters, first aid kids and more.

Lindsay Shoup, the local organization director for Ohio Farm Bureau, added physical donations are preferred over monetary donations because supplies are low or completely out of stock at nearby stores in Nebraska or costs are more expensive.

The supply drive will run through Wednesday, March 27. Items can be dropped off at Centerra Wooster at 427 W. Henry St. in Wooster, Rural King at 3541 Lincoln Way East in Wooster, and Herdmark Media Inc. at 8619 W. Old Lincoln Way in Wooster.

Jamie Wellert of the Northwestern Neighbors 4-H Club has organized several trucks to ship everything west a couple of days later.

Wellert compared the quick organization of the supply drive to the same efforts made last September when the Wayne County Fair swine committee had to relocate hundreds of hogs to Richland County in only a few hours after torrential rains flooded out their barn.

“It’s a different state that we’re helping and maybe a greater cause, but it means a lot to give back,” she said.

4-H Program Assistant Sarah Boreman of OSU Extension is most excited to see the kids getting involved in the project.

“I really enjoy it from a youth development level,” she said. “We’re teaching the kids how to give back.”

“And showing them that even if you’re not rich, there are ways to give back without money,” added Michelle Hinner, organizational adviser for the Shear Genius 4-H Club.

The 4-H leaders gave ample credit to Jeremy Wolbaugh of Apple Creek who is organizing several trucks to deliver water, bales of hay, rolls of fencing and feed to deliver to Nebraska. He posted on his Facebook that he and Kurt Wachtel are thankful for the donations and support they have received from the community so far.

“The whole community has already been coming together above and beyond what we’re doing,” Hiner said. “The community support everywhere I walk into has been amazing. Nobody has said no. They all say, ‘What can we give? What can we do?’ We have a great community.”

Monetary donations can be made to the Nebraska Farm Bureau at www.nefb.org/​get-involved/​disaster-assistance.

Reporter Emily Morgan can be reached at 330-287-1632 or [email protected].

CREDIT: EMILY MORGAN