Georgia producers can apply for Hurricane Helene loss assistance in eligible counties
Georgia producers in eligible counties may apply to the Georgia Department of Agriculture for compensation related to Hurricane Helene losses. Covered categories include infrastructure, nursery crops, pecans, blueberries, citrus, and damaged plasticulture and bare-ground practices.
Key takeaways
- Georgia is accepting applications for Hurricane Helene-related agricultural and forestry losses in eligible counties.
- Covered losses include timber, infrastructure, poultry, cattle, milk, feed, nursery crops and several specialty crops.
- Minimum loss requirements apply, and applicants are advised to review documentation requirements.
Georgia farmers, ranchers and foresters in eligible counties can apply to the Georgia Department of Agriculture for compensation tied to losses from Hurricane Helene, including damage to timber, infrastructure, livestock and specialty crops.
The program covers losses in timber, infrastructure, poultry, beef cattle, dairy cattle, milk production, dairy feed, pecans, blueberries, citrus, nursery crops, and plasticulture and bare-ground practices. According to the information provided, timber payments are based on pre-hurricane values of damaged timber stands, while infrastructure assistance covers on-farm physical structures needed for agricultural production.
Poultry losses are based on lost production cycles. Beef and dairy cattle losses cover drops in conception rates. Milk losses are tied to lower production.
Pecan, blueberry and citrus assistance covers future production losses tied to destroyed bushes and trees.
Minimum loss requirements apply. Review the Hurricane Helene Block Grant website for application questions, documentation requirements and other details before applying.
FAQ
Q: Who can apply for assistance?
A: Georgia farmers, ranchers and foresters in eligible counties that suffered qualifying losses from Hurricane Helene.
Q: What types of losses are covered?
A: Covered losses include timber, infrastructure, poultry, beef cattle, dairy cattle, milk loss, dairy feed loss, pecans, blueberries, citrus, nursery crops, and plasticulture and bare-ground practices.
Q: How are timber losses calculated?
A: Timber payments are based on pre-hurricane values of damaged timber stands.
Q: Are future production losses included?
A: Yes. The program includes future production losses for destroyed pecan, blueberry and citrus bushes and trees, as well as destroyed nursery crops.
Q: What should applicants review before applying?
A: Applicants should review the website for general application questions, required documentation and additional program details.
What this means
The program is aimed at a wide range of storm-related agricultural losses, including both physical damage and future production impacts. Producers will need to meet minimum loss requirements and provide documentation.