USDA provides resources for recovery from Hurricane Helene
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited Asheville, North Carolina, to discuss recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. He met with local officials, emergency managers, and food bank staff to understand the region's challenges and available resources.
“We know that communities impacted by Hurricane Helene have a long road to recovery, and USDA is committed to supporting that recovery for as long as it takes,” Secretary Vilsack stated.
USDA offers various programs to aid agricultural producers in their recovery. The USDA also provides mental health support through the Southern Ag Exchange Network Farmer Support Hotline, available 24/7.
USDA encourages producers to report their damages and losses to FSA. The agency is flexible regarding documentation requirements. Additionally, crop insurance companies have been authorized to ease reporting requirements for affected producers. FSA offers several disaster programs, including low-interest emergency loans.
For immediate assistance, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has launched the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), allocating $15 million to assist producers in North Carolina with restoration efforts.
The Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) is also available to aid landowners following natural disasters.
USDA ensures that food and nutrition assistance reaches impacted communities. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is providing flexibilities to nutrition programs to ensure swift assistance. They approved a distribution of USDA Foods to approximately 348,000 individuals in 20 counties affected by the hurricane.
In Asheville, Secretary Vilsack visited local USDA offices and received briefings on support efforts. He also met farmers at the Western North Carolina Farmers Market, where he listened to their concerns and how USDA can best assist them during the recovery phase.
The USDA is dedicated to supporting North Carolina’s farmers and communities as they recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. For further updates, visit USDA’s Disaster Resource Center.
To find out more about these resources, producers can visit farmers.gov/hurricane or call the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Call Center at 877-508-8364.