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Farmers from northwest Michigan rally to deliver essential supplies to storm-battered northeast counties in a strong display of rural solidarity.
Farm Bureau Members Mobilize for Michigan Storm Relief
On March 30, a fierce storm tore through parts of Michigan’s northeastern Lower Peninsula, uprooting trees, crushing barns, and dumping hail as thick as an inch in diameter. In the aftermath, as power outages persisted and damage assessments began, a group of farmers from the other side of the state sprang into action—not because they were asked, but because they felt they had to.
“It’s what farmers do,” said Nate Wilson, president of the Northwest Michigan Farm Bureau, summarizing the spirit behind a grassroots relief effort that saw fuel, batteries, apples, and even headlamps delivered to hard-hit residents in Presque Isle and Alpena counties.
Farmers Help Farmers: District 9 Takes Action After Devastating Storm
Despite the nearly three-hour drive separating them from the storm’s impact zone, District 9 Farm Bureau members, representing counties including Northwest, Wexford, Missaukee, Benzie-Manistee, Ogemaw, and Huron Shores, quickly organized a relief campaign.
Donated items ranged from diesel fuel and water tanks to Fuji apples and AAA batteries. Collin and Bryanna Beyers, operating a farm in Alpena, personally transported the supplies to neighbors in need, symbolizing a direct, boots-on-the-ground form of aid.
Wilson said the Northwest Michigan Farm Bureau raised $2,000 to help purchase the supplies. “Somebody always asks, ‘What does my $50 membership get me?’” he remarked. “Well, this is a prime example.”
Emergency Declaration and Ongoing Power Outages in Northern Counties
Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for ten counties, including Otsego, Oscoda, Montmorency, Presque Isle, Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Mackinac, and Alpena, enabling local authorities to activate emergency response plans and request state assistance.
Power restoration efforts have been slow. In some rural pockets, officials anticipate outages will persist for several more weeks, posing serious challenges to residents and agricultural operations during a critical time of the year.
Without electricity, many farms face disruptions to water systems, livestock care routines, and crop storage conditions. Rural communities often rely on mutual aid and agricultural networks to stay operational until services are fully restored.
Michigan’s Agricultural Backbone Shows Its Strength
The relief mission underscores the interdependence of Michigan’s agricultural communities. Though the storm didn’t directly hit District 9’s counties, the sense of shared fate among farmers transcended geography.
“Whether it’s planting, harvesting, or disaster recovery, we rely on each other,” said Ben LaCross, president of Michigan Farm Bureau. “In times of weather disaster like what happened in the north, farmers are always willing to lend a hand.”
LaCross said he’s proud of how quickly the organization’s members coordinated logistics and pooled resources. Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan is urging affected clients to file claims promptly via its hotline or online portal.
Michigan Storm Relief Reflects Deeper Membership Value in Rural Michigan
For an organization sometimes questioned for its relevance, the Farm Bureau’s rapid response offers a clear rebuttal. The effort wasn’t just a public service—it was a demonstration of the tangible value of membership, especially in times of need.
In Michigan, where agriculture accounts for over $100 billion in economic activity annually, such coordination isn’t just charity—it’s a form of economic continuity.
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