RICHMOND—Virginia has reopened its Farm Recovery Block Grant Program for agricultural producers and timber owners whose operations suffered damage from Hurricane Helene.
Governor Abigail Spanberger announced the second chance for affected farmers and landowners to seek assistance if they failed to submit applications during the original recovery funding period.
The powerful Category 4 hurricane struck northern Florida and devastated six states in late September 2024, unexpectedly hitting Southwest Virginia and causing approximately $159 million in agricultural and forest damage. The storm’s fierce winds and flooding knocked down trees, demolished farm fencing, and inundated cropland while washing away livestock, equipment, and supplies. Federal disaster assistance totaling nearly $61 million was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to Virginia farmers for infrastructure, timber, and income losses related to Helene.
Many qualified farmers and forestland owners failed to seek relief funding during the initial application phase. Officials decided to reopen the grant application system to guarantee all eligible producers and timber owners can access disaster assistance.
The Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant Program application window opens April 27 and ends July 1. Applications are available for producers throughout 21 counties and six independent cities that received federal disaster declarations because of the hurricane.
“I would encourage any farmer who is negatively impacted by Hurricane Helene to apply for the recovery block grant funds if they haven’t already,” said Tony Banks, senior assistant director of agriculture, development and innovation at Virginia Farm Bureau Federation.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services manages the grant program alongside the Virginia Department of Forestry and Virginia Cooperative Extension.
“Agriculture and forestry are major economic drivers for the Virginia communities impacted by Helene,” said secretary of agriculture and forestry Katie Frazier. “The Virginia Farm Recovery Block grant provides direct funding for losses not covered by other federal disaster assistance programs. Reopening the Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant is vital to the rebuilding process by ensuring all eligible producers have ample opportunity to apply for this valuable assistance.”
Farmers and timber owners with documented agricultural or forest losses can find additional information by clicking the grant alert banner at vdacs.virginia.gov or email [email protected] for general inquiries.
VDACS will conduct an in-person training session at 10 a.m. on May 1 at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon to help producers with the application process. A virtual session is also available through registration at vdacs.virginia.gov.
Media contacts include Banks at 804-290-1114 and Michael Wallace, VDACS communications, at 804-786-1904.
