MADISON — The Diocese of Madison’s Rural Life Office has received a request from Family Farm Defenders President John Kinsman of Holy Family Parish, La Valle, to share the following message for Catholic farm families across the diocese.
Hurricane Katrina hit southern Louisiana farmers who are members of the Pointe Coupee Farmers Association. In September of this year Hurricane Gustav hit them hard — again. These farmers cannot afford to buy some badly needed tractors because of the losses they suffered in the storms.
Family Farm Defenders has been contacted several times by Lester Williams, farmer president of Pointe Coupee Association, asking for help. The organization has also had several conversations with Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert Walker, who are farmer members of that cooperative. They are in desperate need of a minimum of three older tractors in good working order. Allis Chalmers WC, WD, or International, Massey Ferguson, etc., of like age are tractors they can repair themselves. These tractors would become the property of the co-op where a number of farmer members would use them.
Consider helping with a donation of one of these tractors or a donation towards purchasing one. A local farmer has offered his time and his semi-tractor and trailer to transport the donated tractors to Louisiana. Fuel for the trip will also require a donation. Donations are tax-deductible through Family Farm Defenders.
For additional information, call Tom Nelson at the Rural Life Office at 608-821-3093 or John Peck of Family Farm Defenders at 608-260-0900 or 608-986-3815.