My name is Mark Jacobs. I am a 5th generation farmer from Guyana, a disabled US Army veteran, and the CEO of Jacobs Agro.

In 2020, Jacobs Agro began farming in Washington state. Today, we farm 2.2 acres in the Kent Valley along the Green River and 1/2 acre in Puyallup. We grow a wide range of culturally relevant foods for African and Caribbean communities without chemicals or synthetic fertilizers. 80% of our produce goes to food banks and hunger relief organizations across western Washington. This equates to over 100,000 pounds of fresh produce.

Jacobs Agro holds a rare and historic place at Seattle's Pike Place Market. We operate Arcade No. 7, one of the Market's permanent "high stalls." Jacobs Agro is the only farmer in the Market with a high stall. When you visit us, you meet the farmer who grew your food.

From December 8–11, 2025, western Washington was hit by a historic atmospheric river flood. The University of Washington confirmed over 100,000 people were evacuated. Rivers reached record levels. The Green River rose fast and far. Governor Ferguson declared a statewide emergency in response to the major flooding.

Jacobs Agro was directly in the flood path.

The USDA has announced disaster assistance for Washington farmers, including programs for crop losses (NAP), infrastructure damage (ECP), and operating loans. We have filed our notices of loss with the local Farm Service Agency office and applied for emergency loans to rebuild. We also applied for an SBA emergency loan, but due to a quirk in how the disaster declaration was made federally, farms are not covered – and our application was rejected.

While we continue pursuing every federal and state relief option we are still eligible for, we are launching this GoFundMe to start our 2026 season now. We cannot afford to miss another planting window. (We have received $13,000 from local organizations in Washington thus far)

Due to excessive rainfall since December, we are now beginning our cleanup campaign in Kent.

Here is exactly what we lost:

CROP LOSSES – $121,300**

We lost 2,500 garlic plants (1,250 pounds) valued at $15,000; one-third acre of potatoes (2,000 plants) valued at $6,000; one-third acre of carrots (8,000 pounds) valued at $60,000; 1,200 kale and collard plants valued at $10,800; one-eighth acre of beets (3,100 pounds) valued at $22,500; 400 broccoli plants valued at $2,000; and 1,000 leek plants valued at $5,000.

LABOR LOSSES – $108,000**

Three years of tilling, land preparation, and skilled farm work – completely washed away.

EQUIPMENT LOSSES – $8,543

One damaged greenhouse (plastic $1,253, frames $1,200, ground cover $940) totaling $3,393; two walk-behind tillers ($1,500); one riding mower ($2,500); one plant seeder ($500); and 200 plant trays with bottoms ($650).

COMPOST & AMENDMENTS – $900

Two years' supply of compost and soil amendments.

TOTAL LOSSES: $238,743**

IMMEDIATE CLEANUP NEEDS – $4,500**

To even begin the 2026 season, we must rent a dumpster, truck, and trailer to remove debris, mud, and damaged materials from the farm.

TOTAL CAMPAIGN GOAL: $243,243**

100% of funds go directly to Jacobs Agro for replacing crops, rebuilding soil, replacing equipment, covering lost labor, and cleanup. I will post receipts and photos of every major purchase.