FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY, US — The Team West Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund will provide up to $3.25 million to help farmers in Western Kentucky continue to grow and process grains after the Mayfield Grain Co.’s grain elevator was damaged by tornadoes in December 2021.

Founded in 1986, Mayfield Grain has more than 6.5 million bushels of grain storage capacity, but the tornado damage has limited capacity and backed up grain supplies across the region. Mayfield Grain buys corn, soybeans, wheat and canola from approximately 200 local farmers.

“This money will not only alleviate stress for local farmers due to the loss of Mayfield’s grain elevator, it also will help get grain to facilities that can process the product and keep the supply chain moving,” said Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky. “The potential loss of these crops is a disaster for the farmers of Western Kentucky, and ultimately is yet another factor in the rising costs we are all experiencing.”

While the grain elevator is undergoing repairs farmers have had to travel more than 50 miles to the next nearest grain elevator, according to Governor Beshear’s office. As a result, local farmers have experienced higher costs for the additional mileage.

“Graves County has an extraordinary agricultural heritage,” Beshear said. “It boasts the fifth largest grain production in the state and is first in total value of agricultural products sold in Kentucky. It is critical that we do more to help this essential industry recover.”