LONDON, Ohio — While the images of Hurricane Katrina’s damage still grace the pages of newspapers across the country, those who live in the agricultural areas destroyed by Hurricane Rita sometimes seem forgotten.

John Adams of Crestwood, Ky., was at the Farm Science Review in Ohio last month recruiting volunteers to help him help Rita’s victims. Adams is the rapid response coordinator for the Fellowship of Christian Farmers International - a group dedicated to this cause.

“In the media, all we ever see are pictures of people living in Louisiana’s 9th Ward,” Adams said. “They’re not even in the right hurricane. The farmers and cattle ranchers hit by Hurricane Rita are still suffering.”

Adams said drought conditions in the Gulf Coast following the hurricane kept cattle ranchers from being able to plant their grazing pastures last year. These conditions persisted until July when more than 17 inches of rain began to wash off some of the saltwater residue.

As he did last year, Adams is seeking donations of hay, truck-driving time and funding to pay for it all to assist these Gulf Coast ranchers. He said it is harder this year because many people outside of the affected areas mistakenly believe that the problem is solved.

“According to (Louisiana State Univer-sity), it will be two years before they can grow rice down there,” Adams said. “Most, I think, will try to plant rice this spring. Some may try to plant ryegrass this fall.”

He said that still leaves hundreds of ranchers with a significant need for hay to sustain their cattle through the winter. Adams said most of the cattle are now grazing on weeds. He said these weeds will die with the first killing frost, which usually comes in early December.

For more details about how to donate, call Adams at 502-241-4122.

This farm news was published in the Oct. 4, 2006 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.