January 14, 2023 FSC/LAF Forestry Outreach Specialist, Corey Bacon, assists with clean up after a devasting tornado hits Selma FSC/LAF Archival Images

January 26, 2022

Media Relations

Phone: 404-765-0991

Email: tandelyndaniel@federation.coop

FEDERATION OF SOUTHERN COOPERATIVES/LAND ASSISTANCE FUND

PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO TORNADO-RAVAGED SELMA, AL

EAST POINT, GA. - EAST POINT, GA. - On January 12th severe weather plowed through the Deep South. Selma, Alabama took a direct hit from what has been rated an EF-2 tornado by the National Weather Service. The Federation responded by quickly mobilizing a disaster relief team and headed to Selma to assist the community in efforts to cover roofs with blue tarps as many residents sheltered in place to save their belongings. The team was comprised of Alabama-based staff and spearheaded by the FSC/LAF Rural Training & Research Center Director. 

While in Selma the FSC/LAF disaster relief team offered support by assisting with clean-up, cutting and clearing trees and brush. The temporary team also answered phone calls, prepared lunches, mended fences, served dinners. Additionally, the team provided guidance to resource locations.

During this time, the Federation is also offering temporary housing at our RTRC Center in Epes, Alabama to families impacted by the tornado in Eutaw and Selma. Please contact membership@federation.coop for more details.

"The Federation is committed to providing cooperative development and land retention support and other resources for family farmers to aid in the recovery and rebuilding process." stated Freddie Davis, Director of FSC/LAF's Rural Training and Research Center in Epes, AL.

Historically, rural communities have less developed infrastructure, greater distances between people & services, and fewer resources. These communities suffer more because the impact of disaster hurts twice as much when limited resources can't support the assistance needed and whatever support there is available takes twice as long to reach those in need.

Thus, family farmers, cooperatives and community-based organizations, like the Federation, are usually positioned to assist communities and populations severely affected by disasters, and other economic hardships. The greatest needs during times of disaster are food, water, and shelter. 

Disaster relief & recovery is a major part of our overall cooperative economic development, land retention, and advocacy efforts. We understand there are various challenges of rebuilding rural communities after a major disaster; the community itself- including farmers, landowners, and cooperatively owned businesses-must be part of the relief and recovery efforts in order to create resilient communities....Farmers Are First Responders and have always been."

said Cornelius Blanding, Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund.

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund is a 56-year-old cooperative association of black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives.

Our mission is to be a catalyst for the development of self-supporting communities through cooperative economic development, land retention, and advocacy. We envision sustainable rural communities supported by a network of farmers, landowners, and cooperatives based on local control and ownership.