b'After the Nolichucky waters receded, the Runion Farm looked completely different. Hurricane Helene destroyed the farmland bordering the Nolichucky River. In some areas, the storm left six feet of sand.PHOTO: DAVID MCINTOSHThis isnt about going back to what you did 100 years ago, McIntosh says. Its about finding a new way forward.Theyre urging farmers not to replant the same way, not to treat the land like its untouched. And theyre hoping the seed industry is listening.The Need for SeedThe farm stores still only carry a few cultivars of seed where producers mainly talk about Kentucky 31 or WAX Marshall ryegrass, Pedreira says. But weve tested several varieties that sometimes work better here. The problem is availability.Hes calling on seed companies to partnerprovide mixes that work in sediment-heavy soils and sandy soils, participate in field trials, get their varieties in front of the farm store buyers.Were not asking for miracles. Were asking for presence, he says. If seed companies could even drop-ship to the farm stores or make varieties available online, it would help. And we want them in the field with us.The team just secured additional funding from the Tennessee Governors Response and Recovery Fund to work with four pilot farms. Theyll be testing seed mixes, monitoring progress andmost importantlybuilding a recovery model that can be replicated across the region and beyondThis isnt just about Helene, says Emin Fidan, an ecologi-cal systems engineer on the team. Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginiaeveryone could benefit from what were learning, and it will help us prepare for future weather events.26/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2025'