Help 'feed those who feed us'

We are writing to let community members know about an upcoming event to help “feed those who feed us.” As you know, local farmers were devastated by recent floods. Whole crops were wiped out during some of the worst-timed storms in recent memory. Family income for the year is gone for some of our neighbors who work farms in Pine Island, Warwick and Florida. Warwick Valley Farm Aid 2011 is an event to benefit local farmers who were significantly impacted by Hurricane Irene and its subsequent flooding. The event will take place beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25, at Warwick Valley High School, with the goal of raising $25,000 to provide immediate relief to local farmers in need. There will be an open house with family entertainment from 1 to 4 p.m., where participants will have an opportunity to sign up for a silent auction, sample great food provided by local restaurants and make donations. Silent auction items will include the work of local artists. A concert featuring popular local bands will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. The lineup includes singer/songwriter E’lissa Jones, Nuts in a Blender (“The Ultimate Party Band”), Some Guys and a Broad (premier classic cover rock) Tangent (classic and alternative cover rock), Hank Porter and The Lonesome Cowboys (country) and more. Tickets for the concert are $25 each and can be purchased from local merchants, at the Warwick, Pine Island and Florida farmers markets, or online at the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce web site (http://www2.warwickcc.org/). We anticipate a great turnout for what will be a fun family event, but if you can’t make it on the 25th, you can still contribute by making a tax-deductible donation to support our local farmers. Please make out a check payable to “Community 2000” (a recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization), put “Warwick Farm Aid 2011” as a notation in the memo line and mail it to: Community 2000, Inc., PO Box 1270, Warwick, NY 10990. All proceeds will go directly to local farmers. Local radio station WTBQ (1110 AM and 93.5 FM) will broadcast the concert live. Get more information about Farm Aid 2011 on the internet: warwickfarmaid.com, and on Facebook: Warwick Farm Aid 2011. Please help us feed those who feed us. Support Warwick Valley Farm Aid 2011! Sincerely, Michael Sweeton, Warwick town supervisor Cheryl Rogowski, Rogowski Farms Paul Caskey, Warwick Valley School Board member