As I wiped the tears slowly flowing down my cheeks, I hoped the few involuntary sniffles weren’t caught by the mics recording the conversation, or the guests as they told stories from some of their darkest days.

I was producing The Angus Conversation podcast last fall and listening in as Angus breeders Steve Herbst, Salmon, Idaho; and Callie Carson, Laurel Springs, N.C.; guest co-host Kara Lee with Certified Angus Beef and host Miranda Reiman talked about the “Community of Hope: How the Angus Family Brings Blessings to Disaster.”

Herbst has lived through wildfires scorching his home state, and Carson and Lee had recently been on the ground as floodwaters rampaged North Carolina — the effects of Hurricane Helene. They shared stories of hope with practical advice.

Have a point of contact, Carson advised. Needs change from a few days into the disaster to what is helpful weeks and months later. 

“If you want to help, it’s to let go of your personal assumptions and what you think folks need, and be willing to shift and adjust and adapt to what the needs are locally.”

Money matters, Carson said, noting local businesses are also suffering. Fundraising money can help your Angus neighbors support their communities by purchasing supplies to rebuild from the local farm store.

“This group from Pennsylvania that drove down, did the fundraiser and a little boy showed up with a baggie with four nickels,” Carson said. “He had 20 cents, and he gave everything he had.”

Have a plan and share it, Lee said. The time of a disaster is not the time to develop a plan or build relationships with veterinarians. 

“To prepare, have your farm on file with the Farm Service Agency, have a relationship with your cooperative extension agent, soil and water, NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service),” Carson added. “Having phone numbers means you know who to call and they know who you are ... Having those relationships in advance will help if you need to reach out to get assistance when something happens.”

We’re all people, Carson said. In times of trouble, differences fade fast. 

Herbst added, “One of the greatest things about Americans is in times of need, they all step up. We’ve seen that firsthand,” he said. “You might run a different breed of cows than I do, but really, when times get tough, you saddle your horse, you bring your four employees, we all meet together at the bottom of the creek drainage and we scatter and we all work together ... to help our neighbor be successful ... Yesterday my corrals were my corrals, but today they’re our corrals, and tomorrow they’re your corrals, whenever you want.”

Help is a four-letter word, but not a dirty word, Carson said. Farmers and ranchers are some of the first to step up and offer assistance, but often the last to accept it. 

“That’s one of the healing things, too, is allowing folks to help,” she said. 

We are unshakable — but only by the support that surrounds us.

Listen to this episode, or find it anywhere you get podcasts.