Helene Recovery Support for Old Orchard Creek Farm

On Friday, September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene made its way into the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, bringing with it intense rainfall and devastating floods.

One of the towns most affected was Lansing, the smallest of Ashe County's three incorporated towns, situated along Big Horse Creek in the northwestern region of the state. The storm inundated much of the town with 6 to 10 feet of water, overwhelming local emergency services and wreaking havoc on the beloved historic business district.

Walter and I, along with an amazing group of community members, jumped into action to aid in the immediate recovery efforts. After dedicating weeks to support our friends and neighbors who faced the brunt of the storm's destruction, we began to shift our focus to our own farm, Old Orchard Creek.

Fortunately, we were spared from the worst of the damage that many others endured. We are grateful that our home remained unaffected. However, our farm did experience two landslides, which damaged fencing and a section of our blueberry field. The overwhelming amount of water that flowed through the blueberry patch caused significant erosion, creating ditches and holes that will need to be fixed before the next u-pick season for safety.

Many have reached out with offers to help over the last 6 weeks. After evaluating the situation in light of our insurance settlement, which won't come close to covering the full extent of the damage to the farm, we've decided to create a way for our customers and friends to support Old Orchard Creek. Our farm has always been a collaborative project with the community, and this moment is just another chapter in that ongoing story.