Local Farmers Involved In Hay Lift
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Hoosier farmers are giving a lift to Oklahoma farmers.
Extreme weather conditions, including severe drought and flooding, have resulted in depleted pasture, forage and hay supplies in Oklahoma. Indiana farmers across the state are responding by shipping hay to Oklahoma farmers.
Locally, Ed Boggs and his family are contributing 30 round bales.
"We gave back in '86, and that went to South Carolina. In turn, we had some bad weather," Boggs said. "They sent us peaches back then. We had some extra hay this year and we thought we'd help (Oklahoma farmers) out."
A round bale weighs 700 pounds, Boggs said. Hay costs about $50 to $60 per ton, making Boggs' contribution about $525 to $630.
Garry Tom, who will deliver the hay to river docks on the Ohio River to be shipped to farmers in Oklahoma, said Boggs' story was one of people helping people.
"I think it's really great that people help people out who they don't know. It's just people helping people," he said.
Boggs said, "I called the Extension office and told them I had some hay if anyone could use it. They contacted the lieutenant governor's office and they found someone who could use it."
Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon issued an executive order Wednesday that calls for the National Guard to help out with the Hoosier Hay Lift. The order calls for the Indiana National Guard to help move more than 3,000 round hay bales to Southwind Maritime Centre in Mt. Vernon. The bales will then depart by barge later this month to the Port of Muskogee in Oklahoma.
"The response to the Hoosier Hay Lift has been outstanding," O'Bannon said. "With over 20,000 square and round bales of hay making their way to our neighbors in the south, Indiana proves once again that it can be counted on to help its friends in need."
More than seven barges are being secured to ensure the movement on American waterways. American Commercial Barge Lines and Cargill Services Cargo Carriers donated barges for the effort. Organizations participating in the lift include the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Services Agency, Indiana FFA, Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, AgriAmerica Radio Network, Indiana Port Commission and Indiana Agri-News. [[In-content Ad]]
Hoosier farmers are giving a lift to Oklahoma farmers.
Extreme weather conditions, including severe drought and flooding, have resulted in depleted pasture, forage and hay supplies in Oklahoma. Indiana farmers across the state are responding by shipping hay to Oklahoma farmers.
Locally, Ed Boggs and his family are contributing 30 round bales.
"We gave back in '86, and that went to South Carolina. In turn, we had some bad weather," Boggs said. "They sent us peaches back then. We had some extra hay this year and we thought we'd help (Oklahoma farmers) out."
A round bale weighs 700 pounds, Boggs said. Hay costs about $50 to $60 per ton, making Boggs' contribution about $525 to $630.
Garry Tom, who will deliver the hay to river docks on the Ohio River to be shipped to farmers in Oklahoma, said Boggs' story was one of people helping people.
"I think it's really great that people help people out who they don't know. It's just people helping people," he said.
Boggs said, "I called the Extension office and told them I had some hay if anyone could use it. They contacted the lieutenant governor's office and they found someone who could use it."
Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon issued an executive order Wednesday that calls for the National Guard to help out with the Hoosier Hay Lift. The order calls for the Indiana National Guard to help move more than 3,000 round hay bales to Southwind Maritime Centre in Mt. Vernon. The bales will then depart by barge later this month to the Port of Muskogee in Oklahoma.
"The response to the Hoosier Hay Lift has been outstanding," O'Bannon said. "With over 20,000 square and round bales of hay making their way to our neighbors in the south, Indiana proves once again that it can be counted on to help its friends in need."
More than seven barges are being secured to ensure the movement on American waterways. American Commercial Barge Lines and Cargill Services Cargo Carriers donated barges for the effort. Organizations participating in the lift include the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Services Agency, Indiana FFA, Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, AgriAmerica Radio Network, Indiana Port Commission and Indiana Agri-News. [[In-content Ad]]