To assist producers facing wildfires, the University of Wyoming Extension has launched a new online platform to help coordinate hay donations and provide fire recovery resources.
The Wyoming Emergency Hay Assistance site, found at https://bit.ly/wy-emergency-hay, directly connects producers in urgent need of livestock feed with donors who have hay to spare.
Those interested in donating hay are asked to list their county, contact information, and the quantity and type of hay they have to offer. Donors can also note whether they have the capacity to deliver hay donations or if pickup is required.
Similarly, producers and landowners in need of hay are asked to provide their county, contact information, quantity of hay required, the urgency of their request, and whether they are able to arrange for pickup.
“Our county offices want to be a resource for the county and community,” comments Steve Paisley, interim associate director of UW Extension. “Hopefully we can provide information and resources as well as help coordinate hay donations and dispersal.”
To that end, Extension has compiled a collection of online resources for Wyoming residents who are preparing for, experiencing, and recovering from wildfires. These resources, which range from preparation tips to an overview of post-fire financial assistance options, are available at https://bit.ly/uwe-wildfire.
For more information, or for assistance with a hay donation delivery or pickup, contact a local UW Extension office. Contact information for county offices can be found at https://bit.ly/uwe-counties.
In lieu of donating hay, those interested in contributing to wildfire relief efforts can provide financial support via the Wyoming Stock Growers Wildfire Relief Fund, created by the Wyoming Stock Growers Endowment Trust. To donate, visit https://bit.ly/wsga-fire-relief or call (307) 638-3942.
For livestock producers seeking financial relief, applications will be available on the Wyoming Stock Growers Association website at www.wysga.org. Applications open Sept. 1.
“There are a lot of players helping [with fire relief],” Paisley notes. “It’s not just Extension, though we are hoping to help coordinate.”
