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The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) said today it has initiated a nationwide effort to raise money and collect food for farm and ranch families and rural communities affected by Hurricane Katrina.

"We encourage all Americans to donate to their local charitable organizations, including churches, the American Red Cross and America’s Second Harvest, who are all doing their best to provide direct and immediate relief to displaced and homeless people in the areas hit hard by Hurricane Katrina," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "AFBF will make a donation to our long-time partners at America’s Second Harvest to provide immediate food relief."

"By establishing the Farm Bureau Hurricane Ag Fund, we hope to provide a donation option for people wishing to assist the farm families and rural residents who were left in the wake of hurricane destruction," Stallman said. "Every dollar we collect will be earmarked for helping farm and ranch families or their rural communities get back on their feet and back to the business of producing our nation’s food and fiber."

Stallman said contributions would be dispersed to agricultural or rural-related charities selected by state Farm Bureaus in Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi and the Alabama Farmers Federation.

AFBF also will contribute to the Hurricane Ag Fund, and Stallman said county Farm Bureaus, state Farm Bureaus and individual members may mail checks directly to the AFB Foundation. Donations are tax deductible when made out to AFBFA/Hurricane Ag Fund. Checks should be mailed to AFBFA/Hurricane Ag Fund, 600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20024.

In addition to the Hurricane Ag Fund, the American Farm Bureau Women’s Committee and Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee also are reaching out to America’s Second Harvest in an effort to ensure that people in the hurricane zone are fed.

"We encourage Farm Bureau members to donate appropriate food items to the America’s Second Harvest network of food banks," said Terry Gilbert, chair of the American Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. "Those of us blessed with so much have the opportunity to help those in desperate need, simply by opening our own pantries."

"I am confident that America’s young farmers and ranchers will rise to the challenge of supplying hurricane victims with one of the most basic things we all take for granted -- safe, nutritious food," said Ben Boyd, chair of the national American Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Committee.

You may search for the nearest America’s Second Harvest food bank online at www.secondharvest.org