Virginia first to launch USDA Farm Recovery Block Grant Program for Hurricane Helene victims

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia has become the first state in the nation to roll out the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Recovery Block Grant Program, offering direct financial aid to farmers and timber landowners hit hard by Hurricane Helene.

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the program on Thursday, Sept. 18, calling it a milestone in the state’s recovery efforts. Applications for assistance open Monday, Sept. 22, and will remain open for 45 days, closing Nov. 6.

“Virginia is proud to lead the nation in delivering recovery aid to farmers and timber landowners still recovering from Hurricane Helene,” Youngkin said. “The opening of this program reflects the power of state and federal collaboration, providing meaningful support to communities that provide so much to our Commonwealth and our nation.”

The program is a partnership between the Youngkin administration, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It will distribute $60.9 million in disaster relief through direct payments in 27 counties and six cities across Southwest and Southside Virginia.

Eligible localities include Bedford, Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe counties, as well as the cities of Bristol, Covington, Danville, Galax, Norton and Radford.

Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr emphasized the importance of the funding.

“Agriculture and forestry are vitally important to Virginia’s economy and serve as the backbone of commerce in the Southwest and Southside areas of the Commonwealth,” Lohr said. “This grant funding provides critical, direct support to farmers and timber landowners in those areas and helps them restore their operations.”

The funding covers a range of losses not addressed by other federal disaster programs, including timber losses, damage to farm infrastructure, aquaculture, perennial crops, market losses and plasticulture, or plastic materials used in agriculture. Applicants must provide documentation of damages and, in some cases, agree to maintain USDA Risk Management coverage for two crop years.

VDACS will hold a virtual training session at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 24 to walk applicants through the process. A recording of a previous session and application materials are available online at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) website.

Producers without internet access are encouraged to contact their local Virginia Cooperative Extension office for help submitting applications.