Ag community does their part for tsunami relief aid

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition and Associated Press

Willie Nelson is noted for giving of his time and talents for special causes. Here, Willie is seen 'playing it out' again during a special concert in Austin on Jan. 9 that was before a sold-out crowd to raise money for tsunami victims of the Indian Ocean. -- Courtesy AP Photo

Jan. 20, 2004 - With thousands of people still in need after the horrible tsunami natural disaster in the Indian Ocean on Dec. 26, people, organizations and corporations, including those involved in rural and agricultural issues, are earning funds to help aid tsunami victims in southern Asia.

On Sunday, Jan. 9, country singer Willie Nelson headlined a benefit concert to help the relief effort for victims of the earthquake and tsunami. The concert, held at Austin Music Hall, was sold out and raised $75,000 in ticket sales. Organizers also staffed a phone bank to take in more donations. A total of over $130,000 was brought in throughout the night.

"There really are a lot of people who would like to do something," Nelson said. "We're glad to offer those people opportunities to help out in different ways."

Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines made a surprise appearance at the benefit concert that also starred Patty Griffin, Spoon, Joe Ely, Alejandro Escovedo, Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis and the Geezinslaws.

Escovedo, who has battled hepatitis C said, ''I've learned firsthand how the outpouring of compassion can help heal."

A DVD of the concert will be available at Nelson's Texas Roadhouse restaurants and through Lost Highway Records, with the sales benefiting relief efforts. Concert organizers said ticket proceeds were going to the Red Cross, UNICEF and CARE.

Meanwhile, Gloria Estefan has announced that she will host a concert that will also aid the victims of the tsunami disaster. She will perform at Donald Trump's exclusive Mar-A-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, with some tickets being sold at $1,000 each. Estefan hopes to raise $100,000 for the tsunami relief fund.

Singer and songwriter Sting is planning on raising $1 million in aid relief at a concert at an Australian vineyard on Feb. 10. Owners of the Leeuwin Estate in Western Australia said the star had agreed to play for free after he was forced to cancel a concert in Sri Lanka, one of the countries badly affected by the tsunami.

"I got an immediate response from his tour manager with the thumbs up," said vineyard manager Tricia Horgan. "I'm not all that surprised. Sting has a reputation for being a real giver."

Musicians in Australia had already joined together for a concert at the Sydney Opera House, where Sting has performed twice, raising money for the World Vision's work in the devastated regions.

Australian television networks united to broadcast the concert and a live telethon, which raised more than $20 million.

"In the wake of such a catastrophic disaster, it is wonderful to see so many Australians pull together and give so generously to the victims of this tragedy," said Tim Costello, chief executive of World Vision.

In the UK, commercial radio stations joined together on Jan. 17 for a day-long event dedicated to raising money for the children affected. Over 200 stations broadcasted the single program using DJ's from the participating stations, including stations run by Capital, Emap and Virgin.

The UK will also host a large concert on Jan. 22, with artists including Manic Street Preachers, Eric Clapton and Jools Holland, performing at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Performers are not the only people helping aid tsunami victims. The National Farmers Union Foundation (NFUF) made a contribution targeted to five farm organizations in Asia to aid farmers who suffered losses from the tsunami.

"On behalf of the farm families represented by National Farmers Union (NFU), I offer sympathy to the families of those who died in the waves of the tsunami and to those that lost their livelihood in the devastation," said Dave Frederickson, president of the NFU and chairman of the NFUF. "Farmers Union has a long-standing relationship with these countries' farmers through our membership with the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP). We are hopeful that our donation will help farmers in the region put their lives back on track," said Frederickson.

NFUF is earning additional funds through tax deductible contributions that will go to farmer-victims of the tsunami. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the most impending needs in agriculture are seeds, fertilizers, tools, small livestock and assistance in rehabilitating irrigations systems, animal shelters, and market and storage structures.

"At times like this we are acutely aware that farmers of the world are one family," said Frederickson. "I challenge members of our organization and other farm and agricultural organizations and businesses to offer additional financial support directly to the farmers and fisher folk impacted by this disaster,"

People who wish to make contributions to help the farmers in Asia may do so through the National Farmers Union Foundation. Donations may be made on-line at www.nfu.org or checks can be mailed to National Farmers Union Foundation, 11900 E. Cornell Ave., Aurora, CO 80014. Please specify that donations are for the farmer-victims of the tsunami.

Pilgrim's Pride Corporation is utilizing its 40,000 employees to help provide up to $200,000 in disaster relief to Save the Children to aid the victims in Asia.

"The destruction caused by the recent earthquake has been staggering, and we want to do our part to help those in need," said O.B. Goolsby, president and chief executive officer of Pilgrim's Pride. "I am confident that our employees and the people in our communities will do everything possible to help the children and families affected by this disaster."

Pilgrim's Pride will match every dollar for all funds raised and submitted to its relief fund. The volunteer effort is supported by Pilgrim's Pride employees in 17 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Individuals wishing to make contributions may send checks payable to Save the Children Asia Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund and mail them to Pilgrim's Pride Relief Effort, P.O. Box 93, Pittsburg, Texas, 75686.

The AGCO Corporation has also joined in the fund raising effort. In conjunction with their Indonesian and Sri Lankan Distributors, AGCO is donating tractors for assistance in recovery efforts following the tsunami disaster. The Indonesian government will use the donation for the hardest hit region of Aceh. The equipment, carrying emergency supplies, was put into immediate action upon reaching very isolated and rough terrain areas.