Buffet Foundation/Drovers to Raise $2 Million for Wildfire Relief

Drovers, a Farm Journal Media franchise, and the Drovers Foundation have accepted a challenge from philanthropist and American farmer-rancher Howard G. Buffet to raise $2 million for wildfire relief. Last month saw devastating wildfires burn 1.6 million acres in Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado. Starting now, all monetary donations to the Drovers/Farm Journal Million Dollar Wildfire Relief Challenge will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Howard G. Buffet Foundation, up to $1 million. Howard Buffet says, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime disaster that’s left ranchers with both immediate and long-term needs to rebuild what they’ve lost. We are pleased to partner with Drovers and the Farm Journal Foundation in this recovery effort and hope our matching contribution pledge will inspire others to show their support.” While the ag community rallied to deliver hay and other in-kind contributions, the long-term job of rebuilding is really just beginning. For example, roughly 18,000 miles of fencing needs to be rebuilt, likely at a cost of $10,000 a mile. All donations will be administered by the Working Ranch Cowboys Association, a respected nonprofit dedicated to assisting working ranch cowboys and their families in time of need. For more information on recovery efforts, check out Wildfire Relief Fund Dot Org.

From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting news service.