| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| jenbove |
Posted - Dec 06 2007 : 12:24:41 PM
Dear Farmgirl Sisters,
In this week's Chapter Leader Newsletter, I posted a delightful letter from Lizzie Barnts of Full Circle Farmstead about her interest in hosting a regional MaryJane's Farm Fair next year. Lizzie was exuberant - so full of fantastic ideas - and now she and her entire farming community are all but "going under" from the onslaught of winter storms that are flooding western Washington. In short, they need some farm sister support.
I'll start assembling a list of needed items and will post it asap. In the meantime, please take a moment to read Lizzie's letter to me this morning:
Hi Jen--
I was so happy to see the newsletter--a bright spot in our
otherwise dismal day.
If you've heard the news, western Washington was hit pretty hard by
flooding. Monday we and many neighbors who came to help spent the
day evacuating livestock and feed, vehicles, and equipment to high
ground on surrounding farms. This work started at 7 am on monday, and
for me, I worked up until 1am filling water jugs and bringing to the
house any little thing that could be useful. I am so glad that I
kept on working because our farm sat in a four foot lake all of
Tuesday. Luckily, our house is on a high foundation (six feet) so we
didn't get any water in our house. I sure was glad for the empty
buckets that became our toilet, the bale of dry cedar shavings that
became our "toilet bedding", the lengths of rope that became tethers
for docking canoes, the cans of gas to run a generator or pump (not
that we have those, but the neighbors do). I didn't sleep one wink
between Monday and Tuesday. I could go on and one but the real
purpose of this email is to say that this is a FARMING community with
families who lost EVERYTHING-- and this is a good cause for farmgirls
to unite and send quilts, food, aprons, and maybe even donate animals
to folks who lost their farms. I'm sure you all have got someone who
can organize such a thing. I could just cry thinking about the
losses some folks have suffered. FarmGirl cheer is just what they
need. Please see our website www.fullcirclefarmstead.com to read
about the flood and see some photos. It's just a tiny bit compared
to the info available on the web, but it shows US, and that makes it
real.
The water receded here yesterday and the now the damage is even more
visible. I could cry, but there's work to do. FarmGirl Anne Marie has
just arrived, selecting her favorite blue apron from my rack, to
make the day's food and tend to our three year old. FarmGirl
Kathleen is on her way to sort out the dairy equipment and see what
can be salvaged. FarmBoy Brett is on the tractor taking out the wet
bedding. And now FarmGirl Lizzie is going to go hug and kiss her
friends and family, giving thanks for community, then strap on my
waterproof overalls and get to work.
with hope and thankfulness,
Lizzie
Full Circle Farmstead
Centralia, WA
Jen
Expedition Leader, MaryJanesOutpost
www.maryjanesoutpost.com
Farmgirl Sisterterhood Member # 9
The View From My Boots
www.bovesboots.blogspot.com |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| herbquilter |
Posted - Jan 03 2008 : 9:02:40 PM
Dear Farmgals,
I've been blessed with the opportunity to meeting this beautiful, hardworking farmgirl, Lizzy. She, her husband and sweet little one have been a GREAT blessing to those in the Chehalis Valley. Lizzy is out "volunteering" every other day, helping folks in need.
God bless Lizzy and her wonderful efforts. It's obvious that God walks before and prepares ways to help others!!!
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
Farmgirl Sister #97
|
| jenbove |
Posted - Jan 03 2008 : 12:05:53 PM
Good news from Lizzie! Way to go, Farmgirls!!
Hi Jen! Today was the most wonderful day!
I called Johnny's Seeds and Fedco Seeds in Maine today. They are
both working on some sort of gift certificate/credit for Boistfort
Valley Farm, Wobbly Cart, and Rising River. The man I spoke to at
Johnny's had actually been to Boistfort Valley Farm to visit, so when
I described the details of their devastation, he had a very clear
mental image of what that looked like.
Thanks to monetary contributions and some creative fundraising, I was
able to get both a dryer (used, but so shiny and new looking!) and a
brand-new 16 cubic foot chest freezer for Brian and Asha of Wobbly
Cart. Both appliances were discounted because they are for flood
victims and further discounted because I did the delivery myself. We
even partially stocked the freezer with goat, rabbit, sour cream,
feta, and apples from our own farm, as well as peas, beets, broccoli
soup and pesto that I had bought from their CSA this summer. We took
the freezer tonight and the dryer is being delivered tomorrow. They
had huge smiles to see the freezer in place, humming away with its
contents of local, sustainable food. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR
HELPING ME MAKE THIS MOMENT A REALITY!!! THE JOY FACTOR IN MAKING A
DELIVERY LIKE THIS IS HUGE!!!! and my sweet hubby got to be in on
this one, since the delivery was after dark.
I also handed out money cards to Wobbly Cart and Rising River.
Tomorrow I get to hand out more money cards in Boistfort, Adna, and
Chehalis to three more farms. Tomorrow I also get to bring my
neighbors over to start "shopping" the furniture and household goods
and clothes donations as they begin to set up housekeeping in their
temporary living space on their property. And tomorrow I make a boat
load of chili for the farm work parties on saturday! I guess I'd
better go to bed or I won't be able to keep up tomorrow!
Thank you again, all you farmgirls! You are making a difference!
Lizzie
--
Jen
Expedition Leader, MaryJanesOutpost
www.maryjanesoutpost.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member # 9
The View From My Boots
www.bovesboots.blogspot.com |
| jenbove |
Posted - Dec 29 2007 : 09:01:12 AM
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Lizzie!
The Adna Flood Relief Outpost was a very merry place indeed on Christmas Eve thanks to Farmgirl Kristine of Bonney Lake and her smiling crew of many who provided a sumptuous meal that nourished both belly and spirit. We had some jolly banjo-fiddle-guitar-mandolin music and there was even some dancing! The warmth and cheer could be felt in that room, and I am so happy and proud to say that it was a Farmgirl sponsored event! I must share with you this email that I got from Karen, the head of operations at the relief center:
-----------------------------
Hi Lizzie,
I wanted to thank you for all you've been doing in Adna. Last night's party was great, thanks to your hard work! I had fully intended to get up and get others dancing, but ended up being too dang busy. I never did get to finish my meal! You were doing so great, though! There were some very touching moments for me last night, and I received the best Christmas card ever. It's written on a paper plate folded in fourths, and says:
Dear Cooks & Kitchen Professionals and Inside Staff,
Because 2 women came to my door and offered
your services, I came to Adna school.
I was treated royally. I thank you immensely.
My heart is full. My feet are warm.
My head no longer hurts because
I'm eating good food. I thank you.
My family thanks you for your time,
Service and generosity @ this time of need.
I shared this with Christine and the rest of her crew and saw tears as they read it. I wanted to let you know just how much you're touching people's lives. I think that the woman who wrote those words of thanks believes we're paid help, but there isn't one of us on salary. All the volunteers around me seem to have put their lives on hold to help out in my little community.
I'm having a very rough time due to family issues - and a terrible flood, but this is certainly my most memorable and meaningful Christmas. Definitely some life-changing moments going on all around us this month.
Thanks again for everything, and I hope you're having a wonderful, warm Christmas!
Karen
-----------------------------------------
Some days you try and try to get the stuff that's needed to the folks who need it and you just feel like you couldn't possibly do enough. But then you read something like this and it makes all the effort entirely worth it. After getting back home just at dark on Christmas Eve I got another huge and wonderful surprise in my mailbox-- WSU Agricultural Extension Service had taken up a collection among staff and faculty and sent $500 in gift cards to be handed directly to the farmers!! I cried and cried I was so happy! I will be handing those out thursday or friday, depending on whether or not a freezer gets delivered for some farmers in Independence Valley.
I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays and enjoying the spirit of giving as much as I am. As I said to Farmgirl Florence of the Clark County Farmgirls, "the only drawback to the joy of helping others in need is the knowledge that something bad happened to make that need appear." Ying and yang, light and dark, I am learning to accept the balance and take my place in it.
With tidings of true joy~
Lizzie
Jen
Expedition Leader, MaryJanesOutpost
www.maryjanesoutpost.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member # 9
The View From My Boots
www.bovesboots.blogspot.com |
| Carol Sue |
Posted - Dec 25 2007 : 9:14:51 PM
Lizzie and Jen,
Thank y0u f0r keeping us s0 inf0rmed.
Ladies I lived in Centralia f0r 25 years, the devastati0n can't even be explained.
Centraia has Chever0n and Texac0 stati0ns that y0u c0uld get gas cards f0r.
Pr0pane
Ferrellgas Chehalis 1-800-244-3834
L0cal number 1-360748-4802
Amerigas Chehalis 1-360-748-8556
N0rWest Pr0pane 1-800-782-2313
Cenex Pr0pane ? due t0 l0cati0n 1-800-811-0016
Chehalis 1-360-748-4655
H0pe that helps s0me.
CS
She menti90ned Linc0ln Creek Lumber f0r c0nstruti0n needs
1-360-736-8261
There is als0 R0chester Lumber, they are further away by 20 minutes,
1-360-273-5213.
unsure 0f Palmer in Chehalis with the fl00ding.
Palmer Lumber C0mpany 1-360-748-8848 www.palmerlumber.c0m Chehalis
Blakely and H0ut Inc. Chehalis 1-360-748-3377
JC Pennys Catal0gue St0re Chehalis 1-360-748-3346
Sears Chehalis General inf0rmati0n 1-360-4600
Lizzie y0u are d0ing an amazing j0b, wish I was physically able t0 help. Will c0ntinue praying.
listening to the quiet moments
Farmgirl #39
www.Quitemoments.blogspot.com |
| jenbove |
Posted - Dec 25 2007 : 6:22:11 PM
Lizzie's update from Saturday:
--
Hello, Merry Solstice! The days are getting longer again! Hoorah!
Info below: informational update, websites to see photos, places to buy gift certificates, farms that need help.
informational update
Saturday I took a big load to the Adna Grange outpost, courtesy of the Clark County Farmgirls. Soap, shampoo, medicines, first aid kits, handwarmers, gloves, hats, mittens, toothpaste, dental floss, q-tips, hand lotion, cleaning supplies, mens flannel shirts, and food food food! Those girls know how to make a list, check it twice, then pack it all up and haul it north! Bravo!
Christmas Eve, after delivering stuff to all the farms on my rounds, I will go to the Adna Outpost and help with the dinner that Farmgirl Kristine is putting on. I arranged for some good oldtime fiddle music, so there might even be a little dancin'!
The Adna Grange Outpost will be shutting down "right around the first of the year". This is because they cannot sustain the volunteer staffing of the relief center. So, I am working to get the word out that I have a stockpile of available items when the folks from this area need them. Which won't be for a few months, I keep hearing. The Baw Faw Grange in Boistfort Valley might continue on longer than that, but it remains to be seen. SO, since the granges are going to phase out soon, I am shifting my energy 100% to the farms that need help and I am starting to get more specific ideas of how folks can send money and for what. The farmers are finally getting a clearer idea of what needs fixing and what needs to be replaced. This is very, very good because it allows me to do a much better job of getting them exactly what they need.
The new general list of needs:
Atlas Glove size large and medium
SEEDS!!!! (see below)
money
building materials
tools
expert help with wells, water damage restoration, framing and insulation
vehicles-- pick ups and vans are great!
About seeds-- many of you had asked if you could send seeds and the farmers are finally ready to address this. The best way to do this is to arrange for a credit or gift certificate from one of the seed companies listed below. Just specify which farm you want that credit to go to. The farms are listed below. After polling the veggie farmers I realized that they all buy from the same three seed companies. They are:
Osborne Seed Co. in Mt. Vernon WA www.osborneseed.com 360-424-7333 or 800-845-9113 for wa, or, id
Johnny's Seeds in Maine www.johnnyseeds.com 877-564-6697
Fedco Seeds in Maine www.fedcoseeds.com 207-873-7333
Boistfort Valley Farm (see www.boistfortvalleyfarm.com) SEE THEIR WEBSITE FOR FLOOD AND CLEANUP PHOTOS!!!
I talked to Heidi today and she said that they lost all their backstock, so they will be ordering more seeds than ever, this year. She said that they spend close to $3,000 on seeds each spring, not to mention the stuff like row cover and all the other incidentals that were lost.
Rising River Farm www.risingriverfarm.com SEE THEIR WEBSITE FOR AWESOME SCARY FLOOD PHOTOS!!! Wobbly Cart is part of the collective, so these photos reflect their impact too.
BESIDES SEEDS, ALSO NEEDS THE FOLLOWING:
help putting back together their yurt which they rely on as a farm worker dwelling
one or two "beater" trucks (they lost both) for bringing the harvest in from the fields to the cooler (they had a 3/4 ton and a 1/2 ton but they'll take anything that runs)
help servicing the tractor implements that were all submerged in the flood. The alternative is to get them a credit or gift certificate for Country Tractor, where they get their service done. www.countrytractorandgarden.com 1-800-574-1954
Wobbly Cart
BESIDE SEEDS, ALSO NEEDS THE FOLLOWING:
a dryer powered by propane (or natural gas-- they can convert it) these folks have an infant and a 3 year old and they use cloth diapers!!
a freezer. They lost the freezer and everything in it that they had "put up" for the winter off the farm.
Thank you to everyone emailing with ideas for donations, questions about where to send stuff, and hugs and prayers! When I hear about the chaos at United Way and Red Cross donation centers, and how folks are being abandoned by FEMA and their insurance companies, I become more and more firmly planted in my resolve to provide DIRECT help to the farmers I know, for as long as they need help.
Lizzie
--
Jen
Expedition Leader, MaryJanesOutpost
www.maryjanesoutpost.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member # 9
The View From My Boots
www.bovesboots.blogspot.com |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Dec 23 2007 : 2:27:27 PM
One of our Clark Country Farmgirls, Florence, and her husband took our donations up to Lizzie yesterday. Following is the email that I got from Florence this afternoon. It brought tears to my eyes to read of the devastation that has happened to these poor people. And in the midst of her own problems, Lizzie is giving 110% to others to help them. Please keep her and all those affected in your prayers. Many more donations will be needed as the time goes on.
Kay we made the delivery Saturday morning at Lizzie's she is a very special lady, as we all know she is doing an awesome job, she will make sure the donations will get where they are needed. We need to keep her in our prayers, I know God is watching over her, but we can still hold her up in prayer, seeing her get what she needs and to take care of herself and her family too. The devastation is real we went to the adna area and was overwhelmed by the flood damage, some homes vacated with signs on them, we did not go into the headquarters for the Adna, I now wished we had to atleast to meet to Karen the coordinator, this is going to be a long haul for all those familys, we need to continue to find ways to support them. I did not take photos as it did not seem right to,Lizzie did agree to letting Roger take a picture of her and I together, She made Roger an honorary farmgirl (man). I told her I would be working at getting more support comeing her way, I have some contacts for appliances when they are ready. Hugs Florence
Etsy http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
Prim Sisters Shoppe http://therusticcottageprims.com
http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
PROUD FARMGIRL SISTER #100
|
| jenbove |
Posted - Dec 21 2007 : 8:34:03 PM
Here's Lizzie's response to your question, Sherri:
This is a very very good question. I would love for folks to continue to donate to the funds on the "big list" especially these two, because I understand that they are doing the most good in the quickest way. One can send a check directly to these addresses with a note specifying that it is for flood relief for the farmers.
Olympia Food Co-op - All farmers who supply the co-op.
3111 Pacific Ave. SE
Olympia, WA 98501
call Grace at (360) 357-1106 for information.
Olympia Farmers Market – Olympia Farmers Market farmers only.
700 Capitol Way S
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 352-9096
donate online at: http://www.olympiafarmersmarket.com/
These 3 farms were hit very hard and to my knowledge, only one, The Black Sheep Creamery, is receiving aid through any of the funds, and that one is the Food Co-op fund, which is being divided evenly between all the vendors of the Co-op who were impacted by the flood.
Black Sheep Creamery - make checks to Brad Gregory
PO Box 293
Adna, WA 98522
Black Sheep Creamery lost three quarters of their herd of sheep, all 4 of their Anotolian Shepherd dogs, and every single building on the farm (including the dairy rooms and cheese cooler) were inundated with mud. Their house is not livable yet.
Brunoff Farms make checks to Traci Brunoff
482 Bunker Creek Road
Chehalis, WA 98532
the Brunoffs lost 258 cows. That's all of them. I heard that they were pulling dead cows out of the trees, but that could've been any one of 4 dairies that lost all their animals in a span of 10 minutes. They have a fund set up at the Washington State Employees Credit Union, if you prefer to send money right to their bank. The address to mail a check to the bank is
Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECU)
2015 Kresky Ave
Chehalis, WA 98532
Twin Oaks Dairy
I am waiting to get an address and more info on where to send money. I'm not going to assume that they are taking mail at their house/farm address, because they are not living there. Twin Oaks has cows and goats. They lost all their goats but I think the cows all made it. I've had a hard time connecting with them because they are very badly shaken by everything that has happened and seek to be alone and away from the spotlight. The farmhands have been very helpful in telling me what needs there are, but this family is hurting. They had JUST FINISHED a new (very modest) home that got trashed and also they had JUST FINISHED getting their cheese room licensed and inspected. It, too, got trashed. The work is monumental. These folks were in the category of "shoveling mud out of the buidlings". If anyone wants to send money to them, you can make a check to Twin Oaks Dairy and send it me and I will take it to them. I have 2 other farmgirls (on devastated farms in the area) trying to track down an address or cell phone # so I can get the info to you all. As soon as I have their address I will pass it on.
Thank you to everyone for understanding the depth and scope of the situation. Have a merry season and give thanks for a true gift-- COMMUNITY!!
ps I just talked to my neighbors next door who lost every single thing they owned except one car. They got their check from FEMA today. It was for $52.05, and that was to cover the bleach they used to get their well not-quite-sanitized. Can you imagine being them? This is a great example of how the government has left these folks totally behind. By contrast, every thing that has been provided to them from temporary housing, to food, to clothes, to money and building supplies has been supplied by our COMMUNITY. Friends and neighbors. Hooray for the farmgirls! Hooray for neighbors! Hooray for humanity!
Love, Lizzie
Jen
Expedition Leader, MaryJanesOutpost
www.maryjanesoutpost.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member # 9
The View From My Boots
www.bovesboots.blogspot.com |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Dec 21 2007 : 11:37:21 AM
Lizzie - I took a couple of bags of groceries out to the relief center yesterday for the Christmas Eve dinner and decided, since I wasn't pressed for time, to drive around a bit. Adna itself is unbelievable. I lived in Lewis county for 56 years and I've been through a lot of floods. My parents house flooded and my dh was general manager of Yard Birds when they had two devastating floods, so it's hard to shock me. But I was shocked. Then I drove up over Curtis Hill Road to Boistfort as my best friend used to live out there and I wanted to see how their old house was. What I saw, as I drove from the Curtis store back to highway 6 completely blew my mind. The house to the north of the store, I heard, had water within 4" of the ceiling. What that area from their back to the highway looks like (not over the hill, but the other road) is the aftermath of Mt. St. Helens mudflow. If we could get some pictures of that posted, maybe it would be easier to understand the depth of this crisis.
How are you going to set up receipt of money? Are you going to start a bank account, or collect through paypal or just accept checks? Let us all know - one thing I do know, farmgirls have BIG hearts.
Farmgirl Sister #98 |
| jenbove |
Posted - Dec 21 2007 : 11:20:30 AM
The Latest from Lizzie, a ray of light on even the gloomiest Washington day!
I had a very productive morning from the comfort of my kitchen,
attacking the needs list of the day from Karen at the Adna Grange:
find a mechanic who will donate time to fix donated cars (my
neighbor!), find as many phone books as you can (called the printer
of the phone books, they sent a box and are sending a few boxes
tomorrow), get a well donated by a well-drilling outfit (called the
well outfit whose owners live in Adna, connected them with Karen).
Done! Magic! Feeling good! Then, in the afternoon, I headed out.
But, everywhere I went-- the flood relief center in Adna and 4
different farms-- I noticed that there is a pervasive dismal
feeling. And the sun was even shining today!! A picture is worth
a thousand words, but here are some excerpts of conversations:
This between Irma and Regina, overheard outside the food tent at the
flood relief center in Adna:
Irma How are you doing, Gina? (big hug)
Regina I have my court date tomorrow to get custody of my grandbaby.
Irma Oh Thank God. You've been waiting for this. Hell of a time to
try to look good in court. Do you have something to wear?
Regina Yeah. My sister is loaning me some things. But the real
question is, how will I pay my lawyer?
Irma Do you have to pay her tomorrow?
Regina No
Irma Then just wait. Maybe something will come through.
Regina Haven't we all been saying that since it happened? (meaning,
the flood)
Irma (chuckling) And we're still waiting!
Regina How about you? did you get the wet insulation out?
Irma I can't wait any longer. I'm doing it myself starting tomorrow.
Regina You can't do that.
Irma Why not?
Regina Whaddaya mean why not! You have asthma.
Irma Well who else is going to do it? I can't let it sit there.
Then the house will rot and I'll have a worse problem than I do now.
Regina Can't you call the county?
Irma I did. They can't help.
Regina The state? department of health?
Irma Won't return my calls.
Regina How about the mormons? They were ripping out insulation when
they were here.
Irma The county won't let them do it because it's toxic.
Regina So YOU'RE supposed to do it? It's toxic and YOU have to take
it out? That doesn't make sense.
Irma They don't want me to do it. They don't want anyone to do it.
Unless you have a hazmat suit.
Regina Those guys-- you mean the restoration guys?
Irma Yeah. Can't pay my lawyer, how can I get the restoration guys?
Regina This is bulls--t.
Irma Your tax dollars at work. (They both laugh)
Conversation between myself and a dairy farm hand, while the vet
doctors a hoof as the cow watches from the tip-chute:
Me Hey, mister, where's the lady today?
Him They went into town.
Me (I nod)
Him They needed a little dose of normal.
Me How's it going? In the house, I mean?
Him Not, really. So slow, feels like not going at all.
Me Things bogging down?
Him Hard for her to keep going. Christmas is supposed to be
happening. Can't even get the house dried out. It's gutted, anyhow.
Me They've got free Christmas trees at the granges.
Him (shrugs) Got no place to put it. Nothing to put on it. Better
off without it.
Me What do you guys need right now?
Him (giggles) Money!
Me (smiling) I'm hearing that all over.
Him Lady came by yesterday, wanted to know if we needed any
clothes. Got no place to put em. If we could frame and insulate the
walls with clothes, boy, we'd be all set, we would.
Me I'm hearing that, I'm hearing that. Won't need stuff until the
houses are ready to move back into, and you can't do that without
some help-- muscle help and money help.
Him You got it.
Me But after you're moving in again, that 's when you'll need the stuff.
Him It'll be awhile. Nothin' dries in this weather. Could be
months at the rate we're goin'.
Me Can I leave this box somewhere for her?
Him (thinks a minute) You can put it on the seat of my truck. The
red one.
Me Thanks. Take care.
I put it on the passenger seat of the truck, wedged between a box of
clean shop towels and a very muddy rifle.
Conversation at a sheep farm with the owner/farmer. I slid through a
greasy muddy driveway and then almost skidded out into a stock
trailer trying to make the curve in the circular part. Making it
through that, I had to squeak between a long equipment shed and the
former contents of the shed which were now piled in the mud in the
driveway, so that the building could be pressure washed inside.
After that, it was evident, would be the work of washing each and
every thing that was piled there outside, or deeming it Beyond Hope
and putting it in the dumpster. Nearby a guy on a bulldozer worked at
clearing the two feet of mud off another portion of the driveway, so
that they could get around the whole loop. It looked not much
different than it had on Friday.
Me Howdy! Got a little teeny box of cheer for you all.
Him More chocolate?
Me You bet! And some meals in a pouch.
Him Underwear?
Me (laughing) You told me you didn't need the underwear!
Him I know. Just seeing if you're paying attention.
Me I have a notebook, you know!
Him I've seen it.
Me Yeah, you have. How's it going today?
Him (he looks around, quietly)
Me Not as many volunteers to clean up anymore.
Him That's pretty much it.
Me Are you able to use the house yet?
Him Not quite. Upstairs is fine, but the downstairs is pretty bad.
Me How about the barn?
Him Be awhile.
Me Hearing a lot of that.
Him Sheep are up the road, though. And the same folks are doing a
benefit for us in February. Auction of sheep wool products, that kind
of thing. Cheese people.
Me That's hopeful-- you'll still be cleaning up in February. That
was smart, huh? Spread the aid out over the months.
Him (nodding) Yeah. These folks are very sharp. They live here (in
the valley) so they understand how long it's going to be (before
things resemble normal) and how much money it's going to take.
Me Are you getting any money from the funds?
Him Actually, we got a check already from one of the funds and it
was so much bigger than we expected. We were so taken aback. We
immediately sat down to budget it out and you know how quickly it was
gone.
Me I do. Funny how that works. Farming above all.
Him Yeah.
Me How's M---?
Him (funny half shrug) Okay. (read: not so good)
Me (I nod) Where would you like your tiny box of goodies?
Him Oh! Almost forgot about that. In the kitchen, I guess. What's
the purple thing?
Me An apron. For M---. To make her smile.
Him That's a good thing. And the chocolate.
Me I'll keep it coming.
Another farm was completely deserted, lights on, doors wide open,
radios on in the outbuildings, coffee pot full on the counter in the
milk parlor and carton of cream next to it, four wheelers charging
their batteries, fans and heaters set to the task of drying things
out, not a cow (they lost them all) or a person (they had all gotten
lost) to be seen. SPOOKY! I finally left my box of goodies and a
note about a guy who offered a double vacuum pump for the parlor. I
left them next to the coffee maker.
Last farm I visited it was sunset, and I couldn't find anyone.
Finally, a guy in a machine shed working on a tractor engine.
Me Hey, mister. Where is everyone?
Him H is with the baby up the road, and M went for parts.
Me What about the volunteers?
Him Aw, them? They gave up days ago!
Me Really?
Him (jamming a rag into a gas line) Yeah. They burned out.
Me (nodding) Whachya doin?
Him Fixing this engine. Runs, but cranky. Gotta get her smooth so I
can really count on her.
Me How are things going? I haven't been here in a week.
Him Slow. My deal is One Thing At A Time. If I don't just stay
focused on getting one thing done right and done well at a time, I
get totally overwhelmed and I can't do anything. This is how I'm
getting things done.
Me (nodding) Have you heard about the class action suits or the
investigations into the timber companies? Do you think anything will
come of it?
Him Aw, come on! By the time that happens, IF it happens, this'll
all be behind us. That legal s--t takes forever. This, (he pauses,
looking around and nodding his head) this will seem like forever, but
it will only be a few seasons until it's back to rights.
Me What do you guys need the most right now?
Him (shrugs) Dunno. Ask the boss. Ask M---. There's so many
things we need, but it's not the kind of stuff you can donate.
Me (nodding) I get it.
Him Just gonna take time. Time and work.
As I drove home in the twilight, I pondered all that I had seen and
heard and felt. Some things became crystal clear, like those first
stars coming out:
1. the backlog of "stuff" wasn't helping, because there was no place
to put it.
2. there wouldn't be any place to put the "stuff" until folks got
their homes repaired.
3. the home / barn repairs wouldn't get done until more money came
in-- money to pay for materials and money to hire professionals
4 the money would be needed for another month AT LEAST.
5. I need to switch to fundraising mode if I am really going to be
able to move these folks forward.
I thought some more. The road I chose to go home on is a long
winding one that snakes along a floodplain valley, a forgotten place
that used to be a town called Claquato, but has no remains at all.
It is a lovely wildish place, with a few big OLD farms on the uphill
side, looking out over the valley. As I looked at the farmhouses on
the high ground, with wreaths on the door and twinkle lights on the
eaves and porches, I thought about the FarmGirls, scattered far and
wide, and how being cozy and removed from the dismal reality of the
flooded areas was a great thing because it allows you to be positive
and productive rather than perpetually overwhelmed. I thought about
burnout when you are trying to help people who's need seems
neverending. I thought about asking the FarmGirls to fundraise on
their own, and send the money to the funds, since the funds are
indeed starting to pay out to people. Then I had doubt. I wondered
if it was fair to keep asking for help, as we go into Christmas. I
asked myself if it was fair to keep on telling you that despite the
incredible generosity of what has been sent, the needs are still so
monstrously huge. So, I do what I usually do when I have a need and
I have a doubt-- I asked for a sign.
I said, in my usual way, Oh Divine Source of Love! Is it okay to
keep asking for help?
Immediately (and this, I must admit, is the fastest sign /answer I
have ever received in all my times of asking) a bald eagle swooped
out of a fir tree next to the road and dove toward the car. I
slammed on the brakes, not thinking it was a sign but thinking it was
pouncing on something I couldn't see in the road. It pulled up and
flapped back into the tree. The whole thing took 3 seconds. That's
when I realized that it was my sign. And I laughed out loud,
hysterically. You see, there is a reason that the eagle was sent to
me. And this is my favorite thing about The Divine Source of Love--
the sense of humor, and how It Knows. I will explain: Last night
my hubby and I had a "date night". First one in six months. What
did we do? We went to a free showing of The Nativity Story at a local
church. In the movie, Mary and Joseph ask for signs that what God
has told them is true. And each time, the "sign" comes with a hawk.
I was thinking to myself, while watching, "well, my signs don't come
with hawks! they are much more tailored to each situation. a
different sign each time". And that is why I laughed so hard. I got
a hawk! An eagle, in fact. Incredible. Wonderful. Unmistakable.
So, Farm Girls, I am going to ask you for money. Money big or
small. Money from your local 4-H clubs, money from your local
granges, money from girl scouts and boy scouts and FFA clubs. Money
from churches, money from other farmers. And this is how you can do
it while having some fun and community building in your own
community: have a service auction, or a clothing exchange (see
below), or a bake sale. Plan an auction for the dull month of
february and sell some of your amazing farmgirl wares. Go caroling
and collect donations. This way you can work in, feed, and bring
cheer to your own community, while helping another community out at
the same time. And if you have no money-- and I know how that
feels, personally-- help out to promote or produce one of these events.
The idea of the Clothing Exchange is one that is particularly fun,
and I want to outline how it works so that you all can catch the
spark. I've hosted several myself over the years. Sometimes they
are called Naked Lady Parties because there is so much on-and-off
while trying stuff on. The idea is that everyone cleans their
closets (or their kids' closets, or their storage units, or garages,
or whatever) and brings that stuff to the party/exchange. The host
provides some snacky food, and a big open space to pile the stuff in
(and maybe dressing areas). Then, people just rummage through
everything and take what they want. Some folks like to have a
moderator, who describes each piece as it is held aloft. This is the
red wine and chocolate and just ladies kind of exchange. It is a
slower approach. Usually, the stuff at these exchanges is free, but
the event makes a great fundraiser if you charge at the door (and the
folks can take away whatever they want) or ask for donations for
items taken.
I must admit, that even with a sign, I feel weird about continuing to
ask for help. However, I am stretching myself out of my comfort
zone. My favorite line from the movie last night was "everyone has a
gift". I realize that my gift is the ability to empower people--
empower people to help one another by identifying the need and
empower people to rebuild their lives by bringing them aid. I am
humbly moving forward and tailoring my game plan to reflect the
changing needs and unchanging needs. I have faith that it will all
come out as it should.
With love, love, love, respect, admiration and thanks in abundance--
Lizzie
sign-seeker, activist, and bringer of tiny boxes of cheer
Jen
Expedition Leader, MaryJanesOutpost
www.maryjanesoutpost.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member # 9
The View From My Boots
www.bovesboots.blogspot.com |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Dec 19 2007 : 4:04:52 PM
Donations are starting to come in from the gals here in Clark County. I've had several things dropped off at my office today. It just brings tears to my eyes to see how generous people are being. My boss is giving $50 so that I can go buy handwarmers! I got another $25 from a Farmgirl and I'll use that to buy other items on the list. One of our other Farmgirls and her husband are taking the stuff up on Saturday. She has collected donations from friends and her beauty shop customers. This is so cool!
Etsy http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
Prim Sisters Shoppe http://therusticcottageprims.com
http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
|
| jenbove |
Posted - Dec 19 2007 : 08:53:40 AM
Update & new list of needs from Lizzie:
Hi Farmgirls,
Today I got a big load of toys and blanket stuff and more from Farmgirl Andrea and her crew in Lacey, and a monster box of towels from MJ's farm. Tomorrow I'll be headed down there again, to hand out the goods. Keep up the good work, girls! And check out the Christmas dinner thread to see what Farmgirl Kristine is hatching. I'm tellin' ya-- we are one group of do-ers!
buckets and buckets of hugs,
Lizzie
Updated Needs List for the Adna Grange
PERPETUALLY DESPERATE FOR:
fans
kids boots
rain gear
first aid kits
band aids
wheelbarrows
plastic totes
coolers
handwarmers
work gloves
good used vehicles
FOOD:
apples
oranges
bananas
salad dressings
pastries and desserty hand food of any kind
FOODSERVICE
gallon ziplock bags
sandwich bags- don't need to be ziplock
THE LUNCHLADY
she is five feet tall and needs a stepladder so she can reach the cans of beans on the top shelf!! :)
PS from Jen -
I am so honored to be among such a generous, genuine, grade-A group of farmgirls. You all are awesome!!!
Jen
Expedition Leader, MaryJanesOutpost
www.maryjanesoutpost.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member # 9
The View From My Boots
www.bovesboots.blogspot.com |
| herbquilter |
Posted - Dec 17 2007 : 9:36:35 PM
See Holiday ~ Christmas Dinner for Flood Victims
Thanks!
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
|
| Rebekka Mae |
Posted - Dec 17 2007 : 3:27:19 PM
Lizzie- YOU are the best kind of farmgirl (through tears and gulping)- we LOVE you! Rebekka
www.bebebella.etsy.com
As a woman I have no country. As a woman, my country is the whole world.
Virginia Woolf |
| jenbove |
Posted - Dec 17 2007 : 2:58:02 PM
Update from Lizzie...
Howdy everyone!!
News to report--
The Adna Grange is in a new headquarters at the high school batting cages so they have indoor shelter, plenty of light, heat, and electricity to run the stoves and fridges donated to use for making food, keeping food hot, and storing food for donations and eating. This is BIG! They have dozens of tables set up with all the donations organized by size and kind. Wonderful! I took a huge Snapple fridge and an electric stove yesterday along with money, food, and donations of stuff. I heard today from farmgirl Kristine, who took a big load straight to the Grange, that they did not need the blankets and clothes. So, I will be emailing Karen to get an updated list, and I will pass that info along as soon as I have it.
A new way to donate in any amount via the internet is to go to the website for the Olympia Farmer's Market www.olympiafarmersmarket.com and click the button on the screen for "donate". This fund has been created for the vendors of this market who were affected by the flood-- which I believe is 13 different farms. Heritage Bank is housing the fund, and it is called the Farmers Relief Fund.
Also, Boistfort Valley Farm has updated their website www.boistfortvalleyfarm.com with donation info, how and where to send money, and a needs list. They are members of Tilth and the Olympia Farmers Market.
At the very bottom of this email you will find a comprehensive list of all the funds to donate to, as sent to me by Pike Place Market in Seattle.
Mary Jane and her crew had sent a bunch of Farmgirl At Heart fabric totes along with snack bars and chocolate and a hundred other things. Another box had come with a giant plastic bag of pens and pencils! My brain started clicking and I set about filling the totes with stuff both practical and cheerful. Each tote got snack bars, chocolate bars, pens and pencils, a pad of paper, hair keepers of one sort or another, personal care items, and a note that said the following:
howdy farmgirl! you've been through a lot, and it's not over yet, BUT, this little lovin' care package is here to remind you that you are LOVED and SUPPORTED by farmgirls all across the country! So, go ahead and cry, have some chocolate, then blow your nose on your apron and keep on keepin' on. That's what farmgirls do. With true admiration, the farmgirl network of Mary Jane's Farm
I figured some of these gals might need to keep reading a note like that as the weeks stretch on.
My husband had wanted to take photos of the "handoffs" so you could "see" it happening, but I said no because nobody is feeling photo-worthy right now. So I will try to describe these moments to you so can share the joy.
A big box of stuff went directly to Black Sheep Creamery in Adna. They are not members of the Olympia Farmers Market or Tilth so I wanted to support them independently. They got the medical supplies for farm animals, gloves and duct tape, bag balm, and a box of assorted add-hot-water meals. Meg had a such a smile at the sight of her Farmgirl At Heart tote filled with farmgirl goodies. Brad said he was going to steal her chocolate so I gave him his own stash!!
I heard of a family who lost all their cows (250) just up the road from the Black Sheep Creamery. We found the farm, and I shouted out to a man "Where's the farm lady?" He said, with a chuckle, "well, she's inside in the kitchen, of course! But watch the front the steps-- they're gone, I mean." Indeed, the front steps were gone. But I went inside, dodging giant heaters and blowers, and heard voices and there was Traci, the woman of the farm. She was in her "command central", the gutted room that used to be the kitchen before it had been soaked with three feet of mud. She was de-briefing a group of guys on What To Do Next. I said howdy and gave her a tote. She said, who are you? I said, "my name is Lizzie but this is from lots of us farmgirls." She said, "well then, here's a hug for you and all the farmgirls." So, girls, HUG YOURSELVES NOW!!! I wish you could see the smiles but smile into the mirror with gratitude and you will see it-- farmgirl uplifted!!
Another gal met me at the door, mud soaked rugs squishing beneath her feet, holding a baby. I said, "Hey lady, are you a farmgirl?" She said "I don't have livestock anymore. We lost our farm years ago and now we work for these folks." She gestured to the farm next door. "Sorry about the mess. Our house is livable, even with the mud in here, so we figured it was more important to help get the barn cleaned out so the girls can come home." You all know, of course, she was talking about the dairy cows! "So," she said, "I don't know if that makes me a farmgirl or not." I handed her the bag, trying to keep my composure, and said, "Honey, it makes you the very finest kind of farmgirl."
Another house I visited had a strange pall about it. It was a lovely, three story craftsman with a big front porch and a huge old tree in front. This home had obviously withstood floods before. It was a white house so you could easily see the orangey mud mark all around the outside on the walls, showing how high the mud had come. The barn out back was enormous, but seemed spookily empty. I had a weird feeling but pressed on, hoping to find a farm lady to cheer up. I saw a young man in the window, washing dishes. I thought, how cool! A young man doing dishes! Then, in the same instant I thought, why is he doing the dishes? That's weird. Nobody around here does dishes until after dark, so they can spend the daylight cleaning the farm up. I gestured to the tote bag. He gestured to the back door. I went halfway up the back porch steps and he came out the door. I could see inside to the familiar sight of mud marks on the walls and floors. I said, "Is the lady of the farm here?" He just looked at me. Then he said, "No." I said, trying to joke, "You have this great big house and no lady? No women of any kind?" He just stared at me, then repeated, "No." Then he turned and hollered into the house, "Dad!" An older man came to the door. I held the bag aloft and said "I'm looking for farmgirls to cheer up in all this mess. Got any?" He smiled sadly. That was when it hit me and I felt like the world's biggest oaf. The mom-- his wife-- was recently deceased. He looked at the floor and said very quietly, "my daughter is 11." I marched up the steps and handed the bag to him, saying, "Please give this to her and tell her that I hope she feels better soon." He thanked me, and I hightailed it outta there. I can't be sure that the lady of the house was dead, but I can tell you that whyever she wasn't there, it wasn't a happy thing.
I was so creeped out by this experience that I decided I simply must find one more farmgirl to give a bag to, so I could lose my creepy feeling. I sought out a gal who is a good friend of my friend Nancy's, Nancy who took my goats on her farm for a week during the flood. Nancy had said that she lost everything-- her home, business-- all of it. Well, any friend of Nancy's is a friend of mine! So we went towards home and found her place pretty easily. Her business and home shared the same property and all of it had seen a good 3-4 feet of mud. Every greenhouse had collapsed and the way-cute farmstand where she sold local produce and crafts was wrecked. Her house was alive with heaters and fans, every door and window open, and you could see the walls gutted up to 4 feet. As we drove up she came backwards out of a leaning greenhouse dragging a potted tree. I could tell right away that this lady had her sense of humor intact by the way she shouted "Here I come! Me and my tree!" I smiled, introducing myself as a friend of Nancy's. She gave me a big smile back and I handed her the bag. Her eyes lit up. She took her gloves off. She had sold similar types of things in her farmstand. "Those are antique buttons. Did you make this for me?" she asked. "No," I said, "but one of the Mary Jane Farmgirls did. I put pens in it, though. And the lollipop." She said, "What's a Mary Jane Farmgirl?" I said, "Well, in your spare time, now that you and your tree have retired from the nursery business..." She gave a big belly laugh at that! "...you can look it up on the web." She said "You know, I'm going to have to do just that because if this is what these Farmgirls do, I want to be one!" We hugged and she told me to tell Nancy hi. As we drove away, I saw her put the bag in her van, hooked over the rear view mirror to keep it up out of the filth.
This whole process of receiving aid, organizing the aid, and getting the aid to the people who need it has been exhausting and immensely rewarding. I have managed to devote every other day entirely to the flood relief cause, using the other day to tank up my 3 year old with mommy time and tend to my own farm cleanup and livestock needs. One of my two year old does miscarried on thursday night, so I was in the barn from 8-12 pm waiting to make sure everything that was supposed to come out came out. It was sad, but it is nature's way. I guess the stress of evacuation, living elsewhere for a week, and then the transport back to the farm was too much for her. She was a month early. Now I am watching the others closely in case it happens again. So Friday morning I was sure tired but I knew we had to take those appliances to Adna and make time to pick up the oxytocin shot from the vet. The funny thing was that our car woke up dead on Friday morning, so we had to call our friend Ray to come tow the trailer south for us. We made it an adventure, anyhow. Coffee and chocolate can smooth out so many of life's little bumps. The car will be fixed monday, and I will be back on the Flood Relief Road tomorrow (sunday) (with my husband's car!) and then again on Tuesday.
Keep on rockin', farmgirls! Someday we'll look back at these things and say, "We took care of that ourselves."
With great big thanks,
Lizzie
All checks should have WA Flood Relief in the “For” line.
Donations are being accepted by the following organizations:
Olympia Food Co-op - All farmers who supply the co-op.
3111 Pacific Ave. SE
Olympia, WA 98501
call Grace at (360) 357-1106 for information.
Washington Farm Bureau Flood Relief – Lewis County farmers primarily.
PO Box 8690
Lacey, WA 98509
pledge form online at: www.wsfb.com
(800) 331-3276 to donate over the phone via credit/debit
Olympia Farmers Market – Olympia Farmers Market farmers only.
700 Capitol Way S
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 352-9096
donate online at: http://www.olympiafarmersmarket.com/
Art Wedig Relief Fund – For any Washington Farmers that are with the company Organic Valley.
c/o Organic Valley
1 Organic Way
LaFarge, WI 54639
1.888.444.6455
Boistfort Valley Community Foundation - This is not specifically a farmer fund, but Boistfort Valley is heavily agricultural.
c/o Lewis County Fire Department #13
PO Box 16
Curtis, WA 98538
(360) 245-3207
Neighborhood Farmers Market Association Good Farmer Fund - For growers who sell at Seattle markets
Mail checks to:
NFMA
4519 ½ University Way NE #200
Seattle, WA 98105
Tilth Producers of Washington – For organic & sustainable farmers within the Tilth Producers community
PO Box 85056
Seattle, WA 98145
Or donate online at: https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORIGID2+721577554
Jen
Expedition Leader, MaryJanesOutpost
www.maryjanesoutpost.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member # 9
The View From My Boots
www.bovesboots.blogspot.com |
| herbquilter |
Posted - Dec 15 2007 : 3:22:19 PM
We just got back from taking a load of items to Adna. They have a great center at the Adna High School with a command post to coordinate needs with people that are doing service. They are feeding people 11am to 8 pm everyday.
They are full of clothes & blankets. Here is their wishlist:
food thermometers, long lighters, FANS, dehumifiers, coffee (instant), flour, food (large quanities of the same to be used for feeding groups there or food bars & snacks for people to eat while they are working, complete pancake mix, animal food of any kind (hay to cat food), HEATERS of any kind kerosnene, propane, gas, or electric, kneepads.
They will know on monday what they are going to do for Christmas Eve & Christmas foods.
This is being run by local volunteer who belong to the Grange. They are awesome women!!!!
Prayers & Blessings still in need.
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
|
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Dec 14 2007 : 09:43:39 AM
I am organizing donations in the Clark County, WA area. I have contacted Lizzie and hope to take a load up on December 21st or 22nd. If you live in the greater Vancouver/Portland area and would like to donate items please email me and I can give you the info of where to drop things off, mail them, etc.
Etsy http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
Prim Sisters Shoppe http://therusticcottageprims.com
http://therusticcottage.blogspot.com
|
| jenbove |
Posted - Dec 12 2007 : 7:38:29 PM
One more from Lizzie
Howdy! Feeling so much more energetic today since I was able to get into town and shop for my vitamins and supplements. The brain is working better!
First thing-- I tried to register to reply directly on the farmgirl
connection page, since I had some quick answers to quick questions,
but it said my email address was already used. So I must already
have a password and all that? Computer and internet stuff is not my
strong point, so if y'all can help me to navigate that process, I
might be able to jump online and get tidbits of info directly into
the stream without having to clog Jen's mailbox.
Second thing-- Mary Jane, you ROCK! let's say that again louder--
YOU ROCK!!!! You, and all your people, ROCK!! you described the
contents of the box that is coming next and that all sounds
absolutely marvelous and very needed. I will be going to Adna and
Boistfort again tomorrow if my husband will watch Ruby for me. The
poor thing was in her carseat for 3 hours yesterday. (they say the
mud is "toxic" so we can't let her out to help) Thanks again to the
Queen Bee for sending a great big lovin' package. And to answer the
question about bedding-- the homes are still being gutted and
sanitized so furniture and appliances are not needed yet, as there is
no place for folks to take them home to. Bedding will be better to
send when it is time for furniture. As to where they are staying,
they are staying with friends and families and in shelters and
hotels, so bedding is supplied by hosts and hotels. Towels, on the
other hand, are needed because they have portable shower units so
folks can bathe. (I can't imagine where these towels are getting
dried-- they need a portable laundrymat!) I have organized all the
bedding I've received in plastic bags with a piece of masking tape
that says Q+flat+fitted+4 cases and that kind of thing, so I know
what's inside. If those who are sending bedding can do the same,
that would be very helpful, but I can also do it. Random sheets are
great-- I've been making "sets" with stuff that remotely matches and
of course these folks will need "curtains" for privacy once they
start moving in again.
Third thing-- there was a question on the thread about gas cards.
Costco is in Olympia, and it is a good 30-40 minutes away for these
folks (24 minutes for me). A better solution for gas cards is
Safeway grocery store gift cards, because the safeway here in
centralia, which is truly 20 minutes away from them, has a gas
station (diesel, too) and, of course, groceries!! I can find out
what kind of gas stations (texaco, mobil, whatever) are closer, but I
KNOW that the truly close ones are really rural outfits that might
not have affiliations with "big name" gas companies. So, I hate to
sound like a broken record, but a plain old debit gift card works
EVERYWHERE, even at their local mom and pop gas station that has more
"off road" fuel pumps than "regular".
Fourth thing-- a farmgirl in Bonnie Lake, Kristine Farley, is coming
saturday with at least a van load and maybe also a trailer load of
donations! Hooray! I'm excited about this because I know she'll be
bringing more used clothes, and as humble as this kind of donation
is, they are desperately needed. Just wanted to let you all know
that the stuff is truly finding its way here-- these girls ain't
just talkin' bout it, they are DOING it! My mailbox is overflowing
every day-- a true joy!
Fifth thing-- Washington Tilth contacted me today because they
"heard" that I was intimately connected with the farmers who were
hard hit in these three valleys. Jackpot! The gal is setting up a
Fund and I will forward the details on this as soon as they are
available. The money will be allocated first to members of Tilth,
which will definitely exclude some of the farmers, but I understand
that they must have some sort of criteria for who to help and I told
this gal that I supported their decision. So, I will make this info
available as I get it, and will also be judicial in passing out money
if I know that Tilth members will be eligible for funding through
this organization.
Sixth thing-- The Olympia Farmers Market, where a great many of the
affected farmers sell their produce, has rallied in a powerful way.
One can send money to them, and the market will know just what to do
with it. The gal's name is Charlie, who is in charge of the relief
effort. I have a message into her asking for who to make checks to
and where to send them. Will pass this along asap. Also got a call
from the Bellingham area and a gal there said the Co-Ops in B'Ham and
Oly are creating funds to go to the Farmers Market Flood Relief
Fund. Very cool! You can make a donation at the checkout, they have
a special key to ring the donations on.
Seventh thing-- Just got off the phone with the Boistfort Grange and
the Adna Grange. Boistfort is overwhelmed with donations, but Adna
is still getting the goods out to the people, and they gave me an
updated list that does not discount anything on yesterday's list:
hand warmers
garden hoses
extension cords for outside heavy duty use
dust masks and respirators
pet food (dry) cat and dog
a fridge to use in the grange to hold food to feed the people (it
certainly won't hurt to have more than one)
A detailed list of food they can use will be reported to me later
this evening, and I will pass that list to you as soon as I have it.
Oh boy! I started this email 2 hours ago and have had the phone
going crazy the whole time, so I think this will do for now. Gotta
start dinner and do the barn chores. At least the goats are all dried
up!
Thank you thank you thank you!!!! Thank you! And Thank you again!
Lizzie
Jen
Expedition Leader, MaryJanesOutpost
www.maryjanesoutpost.com
Farmgirl Sisterterhood Member # 9
The View From My Boots
www.bovesboots.blogspot.com |
| jenbove |
Posted - Dec 12 2007 : 7:17:40 PM
Here's another update from Lizzie Barnts in Washington. She's been such an amazing coordinator through all of this. Her community is lucky to have her, and everyone out there is blessed with all of your farmgirl love & support!
From Lizzie:
Dear Farmgirls,
Today I delivered 14 big plastic totes of clothes, baby stuff, jackets, food and personal care items to the Adna Grange, all from the FarmGirl network! They were VERY happy to receive this stuff, and will continue to take donations of "stuff". The Boistfort Grange isn't quite there yet, so I am starting where the aid is needed and can be distributed effectively. As we brought the totes in, there were folks already "rummaging" the tables for items they needed. I can say that the FarmGirl donation doubled the available goods. I also took the box of outpost meals from MJ and they were a huge hit-- food that it also a handwarmer!!! I tell you, that could not have been a better combination!!
I want to explain how things are working in with the granges-- they are feeding anyone and everyone 24 hours a day; they have porta-potties and portable showers; a warm, dry place to sit; fellowship; clothing and personal items; and first aid help available. The granges are happy to take money, packaged food, and clothing of any kind. Personal care items are important, too. Below you will see a list of items you can donate to the granges to have available for the taking. There is a different list of what the granges can use to help feed people. There is another list of what the farmers themselves need that the grange cannot provide. Some lists are things you can donate in goods, and some lists show what money can do. The farmers are going to the granges to eat, get informational updates, use potties, shower, and find items they need. The granges also have "runners" that take food, water, informational updates and whatever else is needed to the farms. If the farms call and say, "we need a water tanker truck so we can pressure wash the milk tank room, and a box of gloves and some hot food" then the grange gets it together and sends it over. Sending stuff and money to the grange (whether straight to the grange or via me to the grange) directly helps the farmers.
A word about money-- I have been collecting cash and gift cards and am happy to do so, however there will soon be other options like "funds" you can send money to and maybe even get a receipt for your taxes. More on this as I get word. My personal view is that if I can take money right to the people who need it, so they can dial the quarry and get another load of rock delivered in an hour, then that is very effective relief. But this is not the only way to donate money. I have the po box of the gal at the Adna grange who is the official relief coordinator (Karen- was on the news tonight!) and she said you can send money there. I'll put that at the bottom. The Red Cross is everywhere right now so they are definitely a great group to donate to financially. Another way to donate is to call a store local to us and use your credit or debit card to buy things that I can pick up and take to the granges and the farms. That is a great way to help our local economy and save you the shipping, and you can get exactly what you want (like a case of long underwear or a pallet of mops and squeegies). Below you will find a list of stores or item ideas that can be shipped or picked up locally to us.
What the Grange needs in order to serve people:
paper plates, bowls, napkins, cutlery (can we find the potato starch kind that biodegrades? our co-op in olympia has it)
aluminum foil
paper cups for hot beverages
large trash bags
packaged food-- juice boxes, coffee, tea, cocoa mix, apples, oranges, bananas, carrots, granola bar type stuff.
MONEY-- good for buying food in bulk (today they had hot dogs), all the items above and more, and also to buy things to give away to folks as the needs change. For example, right now they need mops and squeegies, but next week it will be something different as things really do get cleaner.
Out at the farms what they need right now is money. This is what money can do for them:
diesel to power the generators, power washers, heaters and blowers, pumps and tractors
loads of ROCK to rebuild driveways and shore up the county roads until the county gets out there
building materials-- sheetrock, dimensional lumber, hardware, plumbing fixtures
power tools to rebuild with
hire people to help them restore their wells and well equipment
firewood
the You Can Donate It Homemade or Used list these things can be shipped to me or to the Adna Grange contact and they will be made available to the general public who needs them. These items are urgently needed:
sleeping bags
clothing-- jackets, boots, waterproof overalls, WATERPROOF GLOVES, warm gloves, hats, sweaters jeans and long underwear, warm socks, (think, clean-up-yucky-stuff clothes). The clothes do NOT need to be new!!! In fact, they will get TRASHED!!!! sweatshirts and tee shirts and flannel shirts and everything you can think of for layering and working in cold, wet, muddy conditions.
For the knitters and crochet people, the box of hand-made knitted sweaters by "Papa" that came from Olympia was a huge hit. "Papa" sent dozens of tiny sweaters, vests and hats in cheerful colors and colors that don't show dirt. Rock on, Papa! Tonight the babies and toddlers of Adna will sleep cozier!!! Anyone who can knit can make a hat or scarf or even a potholder-- these things are needed!!! there was also a collection of 23 fleece blankets handmade by someone. these are great homemade items that are SO APPRECIATED and NEEDED!!! functional and cheerful, washable and dryable.
The kids lost all their school supplies-- at home and also in the schools. The suggestion is to make up backpacks with notebooks, pencils and pens, and whatever else it is that kids need in school these days (I wouldn't know!!) A few stickers and a book or three wouldn't hurt either. These packs could be made age-appropriate, and gender-appropriate. Could be a fun project for kids to help with.
items needed to pass out at the granges: (urgent items starred)
pads, tampons and such
ibuprofen
toothpaste
toothbrushes
soap, as always!
detergent
insulated "travel" mugs
lip balm
hand salve and lotion
nail clippers
band-aids
wet wipes
disposable diapers in all sizes
diaper rash ointment
*Atlas Gloves in medium and large THEY NEED THESE BY THE BOX FULL!!
*handwarmers
*firewood
bandanas
tissues
garbage bags
Ideas for buying stuff locally or online to have sent to our locale: (read, how to leave wal-mart out of the picture!) please feel free to develop this topic more-- my brain is starting to cramp!
MJ's Outpost food pouches were brilliant. They are perfect for this situation. They warm the hands, heart, and tummy!!
Ace Hardware-- our local Ace is Lincoln Creek Lumber, Centralia 360-736-8261. They have everything from building materials and tools to boots and gloves. There is also one in Chehalis, although you can't get building supplies there 360-785-3791. The other local hardware stores were all badly damaged in the flood. If you want to provide a box of gloves, or a pallet of mops, or a case of paper towels, I recommend calling and asking if they have it (or when it will come in-- you can imagine the demand for these items), explaining to them the situation, and then paying for it over the phone and letting me know that it is ready to be picked up. They already have given me some deals (on the plastic totes) because they know me and know that I'm taking all this stuff to the "war zone".
REI is a locally owned company that has stores within an hour of here, so you might get them to waive shipping or give a deal since this is for the flood relief. For authenticity, have them ship to the Adna Grange contact. They will have most excellent long underwear, warm outerwear, and hand warmers. This is an expensive option, but, if they want to give a great deal, it might be worth it.
Sears in Chehalis was not affected by the flood and has, well, everything! Appliances to clothing to tools, you can shop online or by phone or catalog and give them the story, and just let me know what I'm picking up. Sears is on the way to Adna and Boistfort, so it is very convenient.
a word about Home Depot-- most of the farmers understand that they will need to patronize HD in the coming weeks out of pure necessity, but they want to get as much as they can from local sources (like Lincoln Creek Lumber) and this is why: the very ground that the HD and Walmart were built on was formerly a giant wetland-- and I do mean giant. That wetland was filled in in the past two years so "more industry and commerce and jobs could come to our area". The fact that this particular wetland was filled in (and continues to be as more businesses want space) has an undeniable and direct relationship to many parts of the flooding. This is already being talked about, but of course the politicians stick with the corporations. Now, I try to keep out of politics because it is so sticky, but this is a really important connection to make as you decide where to buy things for these flooded people. The very box stores that can provide them with the goods they need to rebuild their lives are part of the reason that this disaster happened in the first place. Think about it.
In the coming weeks, once the barns and homes are restored, and water running, folks can move back on site. then they will need :
appliances
basic necessary furniture
pantry food
homey stuff
Karen Kerr, the contact for the Adna grange:
cell phone 360-324-9648
PO Box 63
Adna, WA 98522
you can send her money, gift cards, and boxes of stuff.
That's it for now-- this is probably my longest email yet, but the more I do the more I see how to inform those who want to help.
Thanks again to everyone!!
Lizzie
Jen
Expedition Leader, MaryJanesOutpost
www.maryjanesoutpost.com
Farmgirl Sisterterhood Member # 9
The View From My Boots
www.bovesboots.blogspot.com |
| julia hayes |
Posted - Dec 12 2007 : 5:36:17 PM
Jen! WOW.. I have a box of cloth diapers..little girl and little boy clothes heading your way as well as some other things. I have a few friends here who have clothes and other kid things that would be happy to donate...just wondering what the needs are in that department..If you are overwhelmed already, we won't send them otherwise they're on the way!
All my love to you...sending you strength, light, hope and some cheer!
Julia Hayes
being simple to simply be |
| miss wilma |
Posted - Dec 12 2007 : 1:26:02 PM
Girls I will try to get a box out by Monday,I am so sorry this has happened to so many people I think it is so good to see so many willing people that are ready to help. Miss Wilma
I am a farm girl married to a sewing machine
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Dec 12 2007 : 10:21:10 AM
Yep - there's a Costco in Olympia - about 20 minutes to Centralia. |
| La Patite Ferme |
Posted - Dec 12 2007 : 09:21:46 AM
Lizzy,
Thinking about gas cards - Is there a Costco within a resonable distance? Do they have a gas station? Would the folks be able to use a Costco gift card for gas? I'm going to mine this morning and can pick one up. If not gas then certainly useful for food.
Please let me know what you think.
Jenn |
| MaryJane |
Posted - Dec 12 2007 : 08:24:27 AM
Our second shipment from the farm went out yesterday UPS: vet supplies, gloves, face masks, duct tape, garbage bags, etc. along with aprons, chocolate, food bars, farmgirl totes... as well as boxes of REUSE items that my daughter rounded up--lots of baby and kid gear, even some 7th generation disposable diapers. Bedding is next but it might be best if I knew specific needs? Single, double, queen? What is most needed in terms of bedding? Where is everyone sleeping???? I know when my house burned, we at least had a car to drive to the floors of friends or a local hotel. You don't even have that. I can't imagine the chaos you're dealing with, mud EVERYWHERE and cold. I cry every time I think about you. |
| MasterGardener |
Posted - Dec 12 2007 : 08:11:26 AM
WOW! THAT is impressive. I'd have loved to have been affiliated with that type of an organization in my youth & developed a lifestyle around it. What a mature choice.
Thanks Jen.
.• ´¨¨)) -:¦:-¸.•´ .•´¨¨))
((¸¸.•´ ..• -:¦:- -:¦:- Chandra
-:¦:- ((¸¸.•´Farmgirl Sister #64
She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:16 |
| jenbove |
Posted - Dec 12 2007 : 08:00:51 AM
Hi Chandra,
A granger is someone affiliated with a local Grange. I've seen & heard about Grange halls, but I never knew exactly what they were either, so here's the lowdown:
"The National Grange is the nation's oldest national agricultural organization, with grassroots units established in 3,600 local communities in 37 states. Its 300,000 members provide service to agriculture and rural areas on a wide variety of issues, including economic development, education, family endeavors, and legislation designed to assure a strong and viable Rural America. It was formed in the years following the American Civil War to unite private citizens in improving the economic and social position of the nation's farm population. Over the past 137 years, it has evolved to include non-farm rural families and communities."
Here's the National Grange website: http://www.nationalgrange.org/about/history.html
Jen
Expedition Leader, MaryJanesOutpost
www.maryjanesoutpost.com
Farmgirl Sisterterhood Member # 9
The View From My Boots
www.bovesboots.blogspot.com |
|
|
