Help Helen — Sumas River Farm Flooded Twice

IMMEDIATE FLOOD RELIEF NEEDED FOR SUMAS RIVER FARM, which is currently flooding for a second time. Please read Helen's story below.

 

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74-year-old farmer Helen Solem was paddling her canoe back to her home with a fresh load of firewood when she picked up my call on Tuesday Nov. 30, in the midst of yet another torrential downpour and flooding in Sumas, WA. I commented on her resilience and her always-upbeat attitude. "Well, whatcha gonna do?" she said, "walk away from it all?"

 

When the first round of flood waters began to rise near her 3-acre farm on Monday, Nov. 15., Helen was closely monitoring her basement sump pump and barometer. "I could tell just how fast it was coming up and how long it could last," she said.

 

On Monday afternoon, Sumas River breached its bank, and flood waters came within 12 inches of Helen's house that night. "My house was built on a peninsula at the far edge of the old Sumas Lake bed, before they drained the lake," said Helen, the sole owner/operator of Sumas River Farm. "Once it breached that bank I was in the middle of a river. There were white caps in the current just racing across my yard. My house has been through at least two other floods, and it was just high enough. But four feet of water rushed through my five outbuildings including my greenhouse."

 

Sumas River Farm sustained major losses during the flooding, including damaged and destroyed farm equipment, tools, packing supplies, market supplies, vehicles, and more.

 

Estimated Damage:

Packaging, $1,650

Equipment: $7,880

Soil Amendments: $1,650

Crop Loss (annuals): $3,000

SUBTOTAL: $14,180

 

Perennial Crop Damage: $31,600

GRAND TOTAL: $45,780

 

We hope to raise $20,000 for Helen to help cover a portion of these losses. If we can raise more for her that would be wonderful!

For 14 years, Helen has cultivated a diverse mix of Certified Organic vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers. But she doesn't expect her severely damaged perennial crops — including blueberries, strawberries, asparagus, and fig trees — to survive.

 

You may have seen Helen's produce at the Bellingham Farmers Market, Twin Sisters Markets, Haggen, the Community Food Co-op, and more.

 

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We're so grateful for any support you can give Helen, in any amount.

 

Please share this GoFundMe with your network, via Instagram, Facebook, etc.

Learn more about Helen in this short video  about her farm.