Oct 7, 2024
AmericanHort provides guidance, resources to growers impacted by Hurricane Helene

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, growers are grappling with the impacts. The storm’s destructive toll included winds that downed trees and floodwaters, which forced evacuations and lengthy power outages and killed 200 people in six states.

As a result of the storm, states and organizations are providing guidance to growers who are in need of assistance.

In an email to its members, AmericanHort urged affected growers to prioritize safety and reach out for assistance as they begin recovery and rebuilding efforts.

AmericanHort leadership, including Mary Beth Cowardin, Matt Mika and Rachel Pick, expressed concern for the well-being of those in the industry.

Guidance

Additionally, the AmericanHort team provided advice to growers:

  • Photograph and document damage before you start any clean-up efforts.
  • Authorities have likely already identified road obstructions, utility outages and hazardous situations. Continue to watch for such obstructions and notify local authorities if needed.
  • If you haven’t already, secure your structures and buildings and make any necessary repairs to prevent further weather intrusion and to ensure the safety of you and anyone in the area.
  • If needed, reach out to disaster assistance agencies to inform them of your situation. If you have crop insurance, you may be eligible for disaster relief or low-interest loans. Be sure to contact the relevant agency for guidance on how to proceed.
  • Contact your county/local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.
  • Contact your state horticultural association (see below) or Department of Agriculture for assistance.
  • Contact AmericanHort with any questions or requests for assistance.

Georgia impacts

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper has requested immediate federal aid for Hurricane Helene recovery.

The commissioner sent a letter to members of Georgia’s congressional delegation requesting immediate action be taken to provide federal funding to help Georgia farmers and producers recover from Hurricane Helene.

The hurricane was the third hurricane to hit Georgia in the past thirteen months.

The letter was co-signed by House and Senate Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee chairmen Russ Goodman and Robert Dickey.

The letter specifically requests federal aid be provided in the form of a block grant to the state of Georgia, which will provide greater flexibility than USDA’s pre-existing emergency relief programs, according to a news release.

“As you know, Hurricane Helene has had catastrophic impact on our state’s agricultural industry and farm families across Georgia. Immediate action is needed to support impacted farmers and producers,” Tyler wrote in the letter.

“As you are well aware, agriculture is our state’s No. 1 industry – contributing over $83 billion to our economy every year, employing over 320,000 Georgians and sustaining rural economies across the state. Hurricane Helene could not have come at a worse time for our farmers and producers, who are already faced with record setting drops in net farm income caused by inflation, high input costs, labor shortages, global competition and low commodity prices.

“Right now, the future of hundreds of agricultural operations across Georgia is uncertain, and without immediate assistance some will not make it to the next growing season. We stand ready to utilize every state resource at our disposal to assist in the recovery effort. We are grateful for your continued support of our state and our farmers, and we look forward to working with each of you to help deliver federal funding to our farmers and producers to help them recover and keep our state growing.”

The full letter is available here.

Resources

On the federal level, there are several entities that can provide assistance:

USDA’s Disaster Assistance programs

USDA Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)

USDA Tree Assistance Program (TAP)

USDA Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Small Business Administration (SBA)

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

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides financial resources through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help with immediate needs and long-term support.

Additional resources for producers can be found on farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Farm Loan Assistance Tool can help determine program/loan options.

For individuals that require assistance with FEMA applications, there is information available online. Additionally, growers can turn to local and state resources for assistance and guidance.