Aid Billy’s Bog Burden

This fundraiser is on behalf of Billy’s Botanicals, a small-scale aquaponics operation and 5-acre farm in Richmond Hill, GA. The owners and operators, Ana & Billy Dugger, honed their craft of service in the food and beverage industry for ten years while they worked and saved to start their business. Founded on the premise that we all deserve access to healthy, locally sourced food they have been a staple in the farm-to-table revitalization in the southeast Georgia. They currently serve customers at the Forsyth & Richmond Hill farmers markets, scores of area restaurants, and

deliver upward to 40 farm bags to the community a week. Additionally, Billy shares his wealth of knowledge with students and professors at both Savannah State and Armstrong University and employs three wonderful folks full-time and many more contractors.

As with many small businesses, margin and profits are razor thin leaving little room to account for calamity. Billy’s Botanicals has taken on catastrophic flooding due to unprecedented rainfall in southeast Georgia. They will not only lose several crop rotations crucial to maintaining the tight margins of running a farm but are also looking at costly repairs. The funds contributed would be used in short-term projects like pumping out water, replanting, and regrading the driveway around the greenhouse and processing facility so that they and the employees can safely access the facilities. Even only the initial cost to get started on these repairs begins at $30,000. Long-term investments in drainage and retention ponds are needed to avoid this flooding in the future. Any additional funds would be used to repair or prep for a new barn site, as the existing one is underwater. This barn will be a resource to the community allowing for fresh produce and seafood pickup and sales directly from the farm. As small business owners, Ana and Billy have faced many obstacles financial and otherwise, but this has promised to be one of the costliest, and they could certainly use the help of their friends and community to continue their dreams and service.

They provide a viable service to the community and need financial help at this time. Any amount is much needed and greatly appreciated.