Missouri River Flood Victims Forgotten or How to Grow Crops On A Moonscape

This is my first new topic as you'll be able to tell! I have to vent. I cannot believe that we midwesterners have already been forgotten after the 500 year Missouri River Flood of 2011. It started back in May and infrastructure repair is just now being completed. Interstates between South Dakota and Missouri and Nebraska and Iowa are finally open so we don't have to drive an extra 4 hrs to work everyday...yes, alot of us commute to the city where there are still a few jobs. Anyway, I digress. My real concern is our beautiful land which has now turned into hundreds of miles of desolate sand and garbage. I am going to try to post a link so you will hopefully take a minute to view our farmlands before and after the flood. Some farms have as much as 12 feet of sand covering the precious farmland and the Corp of Engineers (don't get me started) now states that the floodwater was their problem but the left behind sand, trash, debris, hundreds of dead cottonwood trees, buoys and pivot irrigation pipes now hanging precariously in these dying trees is OUR problem. We are responsible for the clean up. Oh yeah, FEMA is going to help (that's a joke so don't get me started again). We are a hardy people and don't complain much but that may have been our downfall this time. I suppose that if the 2 nuclear reactors would've melted down, we might have gotten more attention. Anyway, please take a moment to check out the devastation and I apologize ahead of time when your cereal prices go up to $50/box. Thanks for listening. Here's the link...I hope! www.leevalley.net...

After the 500 year flood of '93, those farmers who had flooding issues should have picked up some flood insurance. Don't feel sorry for them if they didn't. But the government isn't going to admit to too many mistakes by its precious corp of engineers.
You're right about food prices about to skyrocket, though. Corn prices were ridiculous.

reply to post by jerzee14


Its interesting tht you should post something like this- Do you own property in the flood plain? Have you tried to get the funding to clean up the mess? Just curious.

In the flood of 93 all 526 acres of my farm land was inundated with sand, it sat that way for months, why because of what that sand does. The missouri river bottom land is some of the richest land in the united states-why?-because it floods. The crops we grow there deplete the soil immensely, and no amount of fertilizer applied to the top will provide the nutrients that a good flood will.

Yes, it looks nasty, and yes it will slow crops this year, but the garbage will be removed, and the sand will be churned into the soil, and life will go on, and the crops will be all the better next year.
As for assistance- if you flooded in 93, and did not purchase your flood insurance, then thats your own fault, its really not that expensive, and the pay out is immense when cleanup is needed. As for FEMA, and on the Missouri side SEMA, you have to apply for assistance to get assistance, the programs are there, learn how to use them.

Not only did I own farmland but I also worked for FEMA during the aftermath of the floods, it would amaze you the number of people who cried in thier beer for years afterward because they were too lazy to get off thier buts and apply for the FREE assistance that was available.

So, relax, the runoff from the flood feeds the soil, the garbage will get picked up and cleaned up, and since this past year was a fabulous year for crops- your cereal prices wont go up any more than normal inflationary increases

Originally posted by Rossa
reply to post by jerzee14

 

Its interesting tht you should post something like this- Do you own property in the flood plain? Have you tried to get the funding to clean up the mess? Just curious.

In the flood of 93 all 526 acres of my farm land was inundated with sand, it sat that way for months, why because of what that sand does. The missouri river bottom land is some of the richest land in the united states-why?-because it floods. The crops we grow there deplete the soil immensely, and no amount of fertilizer applied to the top will provide the nutrients that a good flood will.

Yes, it looks nasty, and yes it will slow crops this year, but the garbage will be removed, and the sand will be churned into the soil, and life will go on, and the crops will be all the better next year.
As for assistance- if you flooded in 93, and did not purchase your flood insurance, then thats your own fault, its really not that expensive, and the pay out is immense when cleanup is needed. As for FEMA, and on the Missouri side SEMA, you have to apply for assistance to get assistance, the programs are there, learn how to use them.

Not only did I own farmland but I also worked for FEMA during the aftermath of the floods, it would amaze you the number of people who cried in thier beer for years afterward because they were too lazy to get off thier buts and apply for the FREE assistance that was available.

So, relax, the runoff from the flood feeds the soil, the garbage will get picked up and cleaned up, and since this past year was a fabulous year for crops- your cereal prices wont go up any more than normal inflationary increases

What? There are farmers that DON'T apply for all the welfare they can get? Wow! That's the first I've heard of that. It's funny how they always keep voting republican as well, though the gop tries to cut their subsidies and eases restrictions on huge corporate farms.

Respect Farmers.

They're literally more than the Backbone of this country,

They are the GOD DAMN FOOD.



We should subsidize the ones who lost everything...

Originally posted by truthinfact
Respect Farmers.

They're literally more than the Backbone of this country,

They are the GOD DAMN FOOD.



We should subsidize the ones who lost everything...

Whatever. You either are a farmer or have no damn clue.
Farmers are one of the biggest welfare recipients that our country has. All they do is whine when they have a bad crop, and, whine when they have a good one. Just Google Nebraska farmers and how they made out. They whined about having a good season! So, check yo self. Farmers are some of the biggest a. Holes on the planet.

Originally posted by the owlbear
After the 500 year flood of '93, those farmers who had flooding issues should have picked up some flood insurance. Don't feel sorry for them if they didn't. But the government isn't going to admit to too many mistakes by its precious corp of engineers.
You're right about food prices about to skyrocket, though. Corn prices were ridiculous.

Well, if you have a 500 year flood, then you don't really expect it for at least another 500 years!!! Insurance on a 500 year event seems like a bad business decision.

Also, it probably wouldn't have covered the crops anyway, because much of the flooding of farmland was done intentionally to save the cities downstream. Flood insurance wouldn't cover it in that case.

Originally posted by getreadyalready

Originally posted by the owlbear
After the 500 year flood of '93, those farmers who had flooding issues should have picked up some flood insurance. Don't feel sorry for them if they didn't. But the government isn't going to admit to too many mistakes by its precious corp of engineers.
You're right about food prices about to skyrocket, though. Corn prices were ridiculous.

Well, if you have a 500 year flood, then you don't really expect it for at least another 500 years!!!

Insurance on a 500 year event seems like a bad business decision.

Also, it probably wouldn't have covered the crops anyway, because much of the flooding of farmland was done intentionally to save the cities downstream. Flood insurance wouldn't cover it in that case.

What does Ron Paul have to say?
Seems to me he'd be about personal responsibility...

reply to post by the owlbear


Shooting from the hip here, but my guess would be.....

"This is why we don't need FEMA, and this is why we don't need Federal Flood Insurance. If the government had not meddled in this event, the flood would have taken its natural course, the homes and businesses affected would have been covered by their own insurance. Private industry would have picked up the pieces, reacted faster, more efficiently, and more cost-effectively. The levee system in place was inadequate and outdated and obviously failed to prevent the situation."



That's just guess at his opinion on the subject of course!

Originally posted by getreadyalready
reply to post by the owlbear

 

Shooting from the hip here, but my guess would be.....

"This is why we don't need FEMA, and this is why we don't need Federal Flood Insurance. If the government had not meddled in this event, the flood would have taken its natural course, the homes and businesses affected would have been covered by their own insurance. Private industry would have picked up the pieces, reacted faster, more efficiently, and more cost-effectively. The levee system in place was inadequate and outdated and obviously failed to prevent the situation."
I

That's just guess at his opinion on the subject of course!

Big words from someone who has a Huge RON PAUL banner...you are obviously confused. And don't have a dammit clue.

Eta: okay those were his words. Guess what chief? Nobody pays attention to him. NO ONE! HIS OWN PARTY HATES HIM HE WILL NEVER BE PRESIDENT. YOU CAN POOP IN ONE HAND AND WISH IN ANOTHER AND RON PAUL WILL STILL NEVER BE PRESIDENT. That is all.

So, the systems in place don't work, but he won't won't fund systems to help out otherwise. Genius. Sheer genius. I hope you pay a lot to your church so they can help.

ehem

Originally posted by the owlbear

Whatever. You either are a farmer or have no damn clue.
Farmers are one of the biggest welfare recipients that our country has. All they do is whine when they have a bad crop, and, whine when they have a good one. Just Google Nebraska farmers and how they made out. They whined about having a good season! So, check yo self. Farmers are some of the biggest a. Holes on the planet.

edit on 23-11-2011 by the owlbear because: (no reason given)

You just put the Ass in Assumption.

Food Security is why we are a first world country. You seem to be pissed off at Farmers..but Millions of Americans work in the Food industry. Its an honorable important part of our society. With respect deserved from anyone who has ever eaten anything.



MORE IMPORTANTLY, Friend, I invite you to look at the numbers. Welfare is not the cause of our Ridiculous deficit! Two Wars, Three Bail-Outs, and Tax Breaks for the Rich is!!!!!!!!!

reply to post by Rossa


Nice post. I had always thought that floods actually brought nutrients back to the soil. I'm pretty sure humans have known that since the days of the Pharaohs on the Nile. Is it actual sand that gets deposited or silt? Floods are natures way of fertilizing big swaths of land. I'm sure they aren't pleasant to go through if you aren't a farmer and don't have flood insurance though.

Originally posted by the owlbear
reply to post by truthinfact

 

You obviously have never lived in a rural setting or checked out the whiny Nebraska farmers who had a bumper crop and bitched to the heavens about how poor they are.

talk about not knowing what you are talking about lol you insult the mod before even checking to see if what you were talking about was accurate

then had to go edit your own post because you didnt, then continue to insult......

Let me tell you something, you need to learn more about farming period, I grew up with farming and ranching and spent 10 years in Idaho surrounded by a community that wouldnt be there if it hadnt been for agriculture.

You apparently have no clue how the money exchanges hands between washington and its cronies and the people that grow the food for this nation and many others.....

Its pretty hard to make a decent living when they are telling you how, where and when you can use your own land to grow, and then dictate what you are going to make off it

Im sure thats all fine and well with you tho right? you dont have to worry about it, youll just go to store and grab you some groceries.....

get a clue man and research before you start spewing forth at the mouth

Originally posted by ManBehindTheMask

Originally posted by the owlbear
reply to post by truthinfact

 

You obviously have never lived in a rural setting or checked out the whiny Nebraska farmers who had a bumper crop and bitched to the heavens about how poor they are.

talk about not knowing what you are talking about lol you insult the mod before even checking to see if what you were talking about was accurate

then had to go edit your own post because you didnt, then continue to insult......

Let me tell you something, you need to learn more about farming period, I grew up with farming and ranching and spent 10 years in Idaho surrounded by a community that wouldnt be there if it hadnt been for agriculture.

You apparently have no clue how the money exchanges hands between washington and its cronies and the people that grow the food for this nation and many others.....

Its pretty hard to make a decent living when they are telling you how, where and when you can use your own land to grow, and then dictate what you are going to make off it

Im sure thats all fine and well with you tho right? you dont have to worry about it, youll just go to store and grab you some groceries.....

get a clue man and research before you start spewing forth at the mouth

edit on 23-11-2011 by ManBehindTheMask because: (no reason given)

edit on 23-11-2011 by ManBehindTheMask because: (no reason given)

Edit...edit...
Good for you.
I have a "clue". I was called an ass by one person and given a warning by said Mods for responding in kind. I stand behind my statements. You obviously have not looked up whiny ass Nebraska farmers and their bumper crop. I don't feel the need to insult you. And I grow as much food as I can given my land and abilities.

reply to post by truthinfact


Thank you for appreciating us. Our days are 5am-9pm, not 9-5!

reply to post by Rossa

Yes, we own property and of course we have insurance. However, the insurance companies are saying that the flood was man made so too bad. We tried to apply to assistance but because we have insurance...too bad again.

reply to post by the owlbear


Excuse me but you are, "owl bear...has a huge member." That tells me your mentality and why I don't even need to acknowledge your existence on ATS..ever. I don't envy you but you must have a huge case of member envy.

reply to post by getreadyalready

Thanks getready. I needed that support!

jerzee,

Can you believe it, people being negative about a person's loss income, of
precious farmland!!

Prayers for the farmers and all who were hurt by the flood.