As we begin to look toward the aftermath of the Western Nebraska Wildfires, we see needs for post disaster relief.
Below are a list of services to follow for updates, contact for farm relief, including hay and fencing, mental health help, and donation options.
HotMealsUSA will be serving meals at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds through at least Thursday. They need up to 40 volunteers each day. Sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B084DAEAA29A0FF2-62991726-feeding?useFullSite=true#/
Resources to follow:
- Region 51 Emergency Management- facebook
- The Salvation Army Western Division- facebook
- American Red Cross Nebraska Region- facebook
- Nebraska Cattleman Disaster Relief Fund
- Mid Plains United Way & United Way of Western Nebraska
Resources Provided by Nebraska Cattlemen
Hay Contacts
Brady, NE
Les Hansen - (308) 520-2589
Cozad, NE
Messersmith Hay, Levi and Bobbi Messersmith, Bobbi - (308) 325-6904 or email messygrind@gmail.com
Elm Creek, NE
Dwight Johnson - (308) 870-0288
Gothenburg, NE
Laura and Matt Koch, Laura - (402) 369-0088 or Matt - (308) 529-0825
John Hecox - (308) 529-3091
Lexington, NE
Shotkoski Hay Company, Adam - (308) 746-1253 or Bill - (308) 325-2654
Overton, NE
CR Hay & Forage, Cody Robinson - (308) 440-6023
Local Donation Locations
Arthur, NE
Hay, Fencing and Livestock Supplies
Crusty’s Feed Store - (308) 764-2259
Jason Christensen - (308) 764-7090
Paul Cleveland - (308) 726-5652
Bridgeport, NE
Hay and Fencing Supplies
Kraupies Northport Lot, Del Ray Kraupie - (308) 279-1692
Bruning, NE
Hay and Fencing Supplies
Bruning Grain and Feed - (402) 353-4785
Byron, NE
Hay and Fencing Supplies
Aurora Cooperative - (402) 236-8636
Farnam, NE
Hay
Farnam Vet Clinic - (308) 569-2360
Gering, NE
Livestock Placement, Hay, and Pasture offerings
Sugar Valley Stockyards - (308) 436-2192
Gothenburg, NE
Hay and Fencing Supplies
ProMix Sales & Service, Tyler Rodman - (308) 337-4331
Maline Seed & Fence, Shane - (308) 529-0781
Gordon, NE
Hay and Fencing Supplies
Gordon Livestock Market - (605) 441-8544
Hebron, NE
Hay and Fencing Supplies
Wiedel Ag Products - (402) 768-8655
Hyannis, NE
Hay and Fencing Supplies
Wyatt Thurston - (682) 262-0942
Maxwell, NE
Hay and Fencing Supplies
Ivan Miller - (308) 530-0502
Oshkosh, NE
Hay
Oshkosh Truck Stop, Kirk Schoneman - (308) 241-0809
Fencing supplies
Heartland Lumber & Supply LLC, Jordan Russell - (308) 458-7470
Ogallala
Hay and Fencing Supplies
Ogallala Ag Supply - (308) 284-6424
Nebraska Resources
Nebraska Department of Agriculture
Producers that have been impacted by the wildfire and need hay, feedstuffs, fencing materials, volunteer help, equipment, etc. should call the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 1-800-831-0550 or fill out the form at https://bit.ly/ndadonationrequests. Be prepared to share your name, contact information, address, what assistance you are seeking.
Nebraska has been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support for our producers. If you have hay, feed, fencing materials, equipment, household supplies, etc. that you are willing to donate, please contact the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 1-800-831-0550 or fill out the form at: https://bit.ly/ndadonationsupplies. Be prepared to share your name, contact information and what you have that you are willing to donate and the amount, along with your location.
Hay and Forage Hotline
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has opened a “Hay and Forage Hotline,” to connect buyers with sellers of hay, pasture, and other types of forage. This Hotline service is available to all buyers and sellers for free. The Department is providing this information as it has been given to us; the listing of individual names does not in any way constitute an endorsement of anyone or their respective product. The Hotline is merely designed to be a clearinghouse of information for producers in need.
The hotline number is (402) 471-4876. Sellers of available hay and forage can contact this number and have their name, contact information, and inventory placed on the “Sellers List,” which is updated regularly. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture will then make the “Sellers List” available to buyers by mail or by this website. Once buyers obtain this information they will be responsible for contacting the sellers directly to negotiate any transactions. Learn more here.
Nebraska Emergency Management Agency
As critical fire weather remains in effect for Nebraska, be sure sure to monitor the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency’s website HERE. Road conditions can be monitored HERE.
Nebraska Department of Revenue
The Department of Revenue (DOR) working in conjunction with its Property Assessment Division recognizes the significant economic hardship to Nebraska property owners, including our farmers and ranchers, during these devastating wildfires.
For real property that has suffered significant damage on or after January 1 and before July 1 of the current assessment year, the property owner may file a Report of Damaged Real Property, Form 425, in order to have the property reassessed by the county board of equalization as of the date of the damage. The deadline for filing these reports is July 15. Learn more here.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Beef Extension
Wildfire resources from the UNL Beef Extension Team.
Mental Health Resources
Mental Health is crucial in tough times. We are here to help you! We have resources to help you through the good and bad times.
Rural Wellness is here
Rural Hotline is here
Communicating with farmers under stress with Susan Harris, watch here.
Avera Farm and Rural Stress HotlineFlood damage, drought, a difficult and unpredictable agriculture environment — it can all add up to a heavy burden of stress. That’s why Avera created the Farm and Rural Stress Hotline. If you or someone you know just needs to talk, call 1-800-691-4336 for support. A compassionate mental health professional will answer, provide resources and help you manage whatever you’re experiencing, such as anxiety, depression or other behavioral health concerns. It’s free, confidential and available 24/7.
TogetherallJoin the online community called Togetherall that offers anonymous peer-to-peer support and a library of self-paced resources. Through the Resources tab, users have access to free counseling and consultation services for farm family members through Personal Assistance Services (PAS). These resources are available free of charge.
National Resources
USDA Farm Service Agency
Farm Rescue
The mission of Farm Rescue is to help family farms and ranches bridge crises so they have an opportunity to continue viable operations. Farm Rescue provides planting, haying, harvesting, and livestock feeding assistance to farm and ranch families that have experienced a major injury, illness, or natural disaster.
Farm Rescue gives families a chance to continue their livelihood by providing the necessary equipment and manpower (free of charge) to get the job done.
Apply for assistance: https://farmrescue.org/apply/
Farm AidSince 1985, Farm Aid has answered 1-800-FARM-AID to provide immediate and effective support services to farm families in crisis. Now Farm Aid’s online Farmer Resource Network connects farmers to an extensive network of organizations across the country that help farmers find the resources they need to access new markets, transition to more sustainable and profitable farming practices, and survive natural disasters.
FEMA ALERTS
In the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) app you can:
- Receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide.
- Share real-time notifications with loved ones via text, email, and social media
- Learn emergency safety tips for over 20 types of disasters, including fires, flooding, hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes, volcanoes, and more.
- Locate open emergency shelters and disaster recovery centers in your area where you can talk to a FEMA representative in person.
- Prepare for disasters with a customizable emergency kit checklist, emergency family plan, and reminders.
You can sign up for emergency text alerts and download the app from FEMA here.