Bradenton nursery and farm pick up the pieces after Helene. Here’s how you can help

Two of Bradenton’s iconic agricultural businesses are reeling after Hurricane Helene damaged the crops and plants they have relied on for generations.

Helene’s record-setting storm surge flooded the fields at Orban’s Nursery and Geraldson’s Family Farm in Northwest Bradenton near the Manatee River, causing thousands of dollars in damage and sparking the need for community cleanup efforts.

Both businesses posted photos of the wreckage online, sharing images of submerged crops, ruined equipment and damaged property.

At Geraldson’s, Helene wiped out fruit and vegetable fields right at the start of the fall harvest. The flooding ruined tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, sweet corn, zucchini, squash and white pumpkins.

“We didn’t think it was going to be that bad,” said Steffen Geraldson, who runs the 11-acre, 60-year-old farm.

The family’s 46-year-old home, a tractor shed and the farm market sit on the property at 9812 Ninth. Ave. NW, Bradenton.

As several feet of water gushed into the family’s home, Geraldson’s mother tried to save some of their belongings. Geraldson waded through the water in the home he grew up in and told his mother, “’I’m going to get the tractor,’ and we got to get out of here.”

Hurricane wrecks Bradenton businesses

The storm devastated another nearby business, as well. The flood of water sent poinsettias and other potted flowers floating out of the greenhouses at Orban’s Nursery, 9601 Ninth Ave. NW, Bradenton.

“We’ve never seen anything like it,” said Tyler Orban, who runs the 100-year-old nursery.

In a Facebook post, the Orban family said the storm destroyed over 100,000 poinsettias, along with every other plant on the 20-acre property.

“For the first time in over 100 years, our family won’t be able to produce everyone’s favorite Christmas flower,” the nursery said.

After the storm battered the Bradenton area, Geraldson found cantaloupes, beehives and other hurricane debris scattered across the farm.

“I knew the crops we had in the ground were done,” Geraldson said.

The storm damaged family vehicles, a tractor, three generator and a walk-in cooler used for vegetables, Geraldson said.

Geraldson said he wants to fix up the farm market and sell fruits, vegetables, orange juice, eggs and honey from other local farms. The damage will not deter the family from growing produce again, he said.

“We want to keep doing this,” Geraldson said.

How to help farmers recover after Helene

You can donate to a GiveSendGo campaign to help the Geraldson family rebuild the farm. As of Friday afternoon, the campaign raised nearly $14,000 toward its $50,000 goal.

You can give to a GoFundMe campaign to help the Orban family rebuild the nursery. As of Friday afternoon, the campaign raised over $11,600 toward its $15,000 goal.

Orban’s is also seeking volunteers to help clean up the nursery from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Lunch will be provided, the family said.

This story was originally published October 4, 2024 at 1:00 PM.