Farm & Rural Hurricane Relief in Western North Carolina

My name is Jaqueline Smith and I live in WNC. We are a collective of residents, small business owners, and farmers working with the Black Mountain Tailgate Market to provide immediate and long-term support for our wide community of neighbors in and around the greater Swannanoa Valley region. We are raising emergency funds to support families, neighborhoods, and farms in our community with the greatest needs.

Our goal is to fill in the gaps by providing hands-on and monetary support to individuals, families, and local organizations after Hurricane Helene's devastating impact on our beautiful Appalachian Mountains.

For 30 years, the Black Mountain Tailgate Market has functioned as a "third space" - a community hub, a vibrant platform for local food producers, artisans, musicians, and fellow non-profit organizations. Due to extensive damage in the region and the proximity of our market grounds to emergency services, we have paused regular market operations. However, our mission remains the same - we must continue to nourish our community.

On Friday, September 27th, Western North Carolina saw unprecedented flooding and devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The region is facing widespread power outages, a severely compromised water system that will take months to restore, and the loss of whole neighborhoods. After assessing the damage, connecting with local organizations, speaking with fellow farmers and artisans, and listening to our community, it became increasingly apparent that new long-term support systems were needed.

While essential aid is now pouring into our region, we realize the needs of the community will evolve as rescue and recovery efforts continue, and the process of reconstruction and revitalization begins.

Our volunteers are currently knocking on doors, hiking through rural areas, helping farmers pick up the pieces, and nourishing our community by delivering essentials to residents unable to travel to aid centers.

Funds allocation will prioritize our community's hardest hit farm, rural and makers families. Initial Goal $150,000:

- FARM REPAIRS / ASSISTANCE 50%

- SMALL BUSINESS / PRODUCER SUPPORT 10%

- FAMILY SUPPORT GENERAL 13%

- AT RISK FAMILY SUPPORT: RURAL / MIGRANT 13%

- PAY IT FORWARD 13% Program" which will ensure that delicious, locally grown goodness makes its way to hungry bellies

Your donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward providing aid to the hardest hit farm and rural families in our valley.

With all of our love and gratitude,

The Black Mountain Tailgate Market Family

For information about tax deductible donations, please contact Stephanie Byars