CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — A metro Atlanta farm that provides cancer patients and their families a respite from treatment, along with financial support, says it may have to close because of soaring feed costs related to a sharp rise in diesel fuel prices.
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“We help families with cancer. We have them come to the farm, give them a tour and give them a break from the stress of cancer,” said Restoration Farm owner Danielle Tucker.
Tucker, a cancer survivor, lost her husband to cancer. Channel 2’s Tom Regan ran into her at Cherokee Feed and Seed in Ball Ground.
She purchases feed for her animals every week and says the cost has risen by a couple hundred dollars.
“The cost of running a farm right now is out of control, very difficult,” said Tucker.
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Cherokee Feed and Seed is one of the largest operations of its kind in the southeast. It provides feed to farmers, zoos and animal safaris. The owner says with added fuel costs, manufacturers and distributors have hiked prices by 10% to 25%, depending on the product.
“Hay, feed, dog food, you name it, it’s all being impacted. Fertilizer is another one. As diesel or gasoline goes up, fertilizer goes up. So whatever you do in your garden, pasture, hayfields, it affects everything,” said Cherokee Feed and Seed owner Alan Jesse.
Jesse described his operation as a grocery store for farm animals. He says just like the cost of food has jumped at Kroger or Publix, the same is happening at feed and seed businesses.
“We’re paying more than $1,000 more per shipment. You get your normal freight rate, and then you may be accessed half of that in fuel surcharges,” said Jesse.
He says it’s also costing him more to deliver feed to his customers using his trucks, which run on diesel. He doesn’t want to pass along the added cost to his customers but has no choice.
“You try to eat some of it, for a certain period of time. Then you have to raise your prices,” said Jesse.
Danielle Tucker says she is hoping fuel prices, along with feed prices, will fall, so her Restoration Farm can survive.
“I’m thinking of closing it, just because of the costs. It’s sad because I want to be able to help people. I’m about to start crying,” said Tucker.
If you would like to donate to Restoration Farms and its program helping cancer patients, visit the charity’s website.
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