AgFirst, CoBank donate $300,000 to hurricane relief
September 29, 2017
AgFirst Farm Credit Bank, headquartered in Columbia, has donated $200,000 to the American Red Cross’ hurricane relief efforts in support of those impacted by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. CoBank, a fellow member of the Farm Credit System, who earlier contributed to Harvey and Irma relief, partnered with AgFirst to provide an additional $100,000 for recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.
These devastating weather events deeply impacted many in the AgFirst and CoBank service territories, and both organizations were anxious to provide immediate aid to those who are suffering.
“Hurricane Maria has been the most powerful storm that our generation has ever experienced, and I hope we don’t ever experience another one like it,” said Ricardo L. Fernández, Puerto Rico Farm Credit chief executive officer. “Maria has directly impacted every farmer on the Island of Puerto Rico, but with the help of generous donations made by AgFirst Farm Credit Bank and CoBank, I know our hard working farmers will recover.”
The Red Cross has thousands of volunteers on the ground now to help communities throughout the Southeast, Texas and Puerto Rico as they begin to recover. They are providing shelter, food, clean water and other basic necessities to people in need throughout the hard-hit region. The Red Cross is partnering with local agencies to make the most of relief contributions.
“Our hearts go out to those impacted by these severe hurricanes,” AgFirst CEO Tim Amerson said. “We know the rebuilding process will be long and difficult. We are proud to stand by these communities as they cope with these catastrophic events.”
“The devastation these hurricanes have caused is staggering,” said Tom Halverson, CoBank’s president and chief executive officer. “We immediately reached out to the Red Cross and other regional organizations to support humanitarian efforts. Working with AgFirst to support relief and recovery efforts is very important to us and shows that Farm Credit stands together with our customers in tough times.”
AgFirst serves a network of farmer-owned cooperatives throughout the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States and in Puerto Rico. CoBank serves agribusinesses, rural infrastructure providers and Farm Credit associations throughout the United States. Both are members of the Farm Credit System.
About AgFirst
AgFirst Farm Credit Bank is one of four banks that make up the nationwide Farm Credit System. Farm Credit has supported rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services for 100 years. AgFirst is a cooperative providing funding and services to 19 Associations in 15 states and Puerto Rico.
About CoBank
CoBank is a $125 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 70,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.
