Oct 4, 2024
USDA offers disaster assistance for Hurricane Helene recovery

The USDA is offering assistance to growers who sustained losses from Hurricane Helene, which ravaged the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.

The Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Association (GFVGA) is in the field meeting with growers impacted by the storm.

GFVGA transmitted information that can help growers learn more about available USDA resources and programs to aid in recovery.

GFVGA in the Oct. 3 member alert also advises affected growers to reach out to their county Extension agents or specialists to begin damage assessments.

Hurricane Helene Recovery Assistance 
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, USDA staff is available to assist growers you ready. USDA is working diligently to implement program flexibilities and waivers, to help streamline the grower recovery process, according to a news release. As the USDA is regularly reviewing its programs, growers are reminded to check in periodically with their local USDA office for updates.

Documenting Loss
Growers are encouraged to document damages and losses their operations have sustained as best they can, including gathering farm records, receipts and pictures of damages or losses. Through extenuating and stressful circumstances, the USDA recognizes there may be instances where documentation is lost, destroyed or unattainable. Regardless, please contact USDA which will do whatever it can to help growers access needed assistance, according to the release.

 

Hurricane Helene caused massive flooding, blowing over trees and killing more than 200 people. Photo courtesy North Carolina Department of Transportation.

 

Reporting Loss
Once you are able to safely evaluate the impact on your operation, USDA advises contacting local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices or your crop insurance agents to report all crop, livestock and farm infrastructure damages and losses.

For producers who have risk protection through Federal Crop Insurance, the USDA Risk Management Agency has authorized Approved Insurance Providers to provide flexibility on reporting requirements for those who are unable to report losses due the disaster.

Available Assistance
Producers in counties with a primary or contiguous disaster designation may be eligible for low interest emergency loans to help them recover from production and physical losses.

Additionally, FSA offers several loan servicing options available for borrowers who are unable to make scheduled payments on their farm loan programs debt to the agency because of reasons beyond their control.

Meanwhile, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides financial resources through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help with immediate needs and long-term support to help recover from natural disasters and conserve water resources.

USDA disaster programsDisaster Recovery Programs: Flexibilities and Waivers
The following information describes some of the current program flexibilities and waivers available for producers impacted by Hurricane Helene. To learn about benefits available through our recovery programs including those listed below, please view the  Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet.

Tree Assistance Program (TAP):
Extension of TAP assistance to trees/bushes/vines that have not died but are no longer capable of production (not economically viable).

Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP):
Waiver of 72-hour notification requirement on hand harvested crops.
Extended deadline to file a Notice of Loss with FSA.
Flexibility for FSA staff to perform loss adjustment activities and/or waive field inspections in cases where the cause of loss can be verified through other means.

Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL):
Additional time for producers to deliver commodities to a buyer to repay MALs with sale proceeds. Postponement of MAL foreclosure letters applicable to losses or damages due to hurricanes for up to 90 calendar days.

Read more about USDA disaster recovery programs here.




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