The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) has announced that it will distribute $38 million in federal aid to farmers and forest landowners affected by Hurricane Helene in 2024. The funding, provided through the South Carolina Disaster Relief Block Grant for Helene, is intended to address losses not covered by existing USDA programs or crop insurance.
The program will cover four categories of eligible losses: infrastructure damage, market losses, future economic losses, and timber losses. It will be available to producers in 33 counties and one tribal area that received a Presidential Disaster Declaration following the hurricane.
“South Carolina’s farmers and forest landowners have worked tirelessly to recover from Helene’s devastation, and this funding will close crucial gaps to assure a future for their businesses,” said South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. “A strong agriculture and forestry sector is essential to our state’s economy and security, and we’re committed to distributing this funding quickly. I’d like to thank South Carolina’s farmers and forest landowners who offered information and feedback, and US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and her staff for their collaboration as we work to get this critical aid into the right hands.”
State Forester Scott Phillips commented on the significance of the program for timber producers: “This USDA block grant is a game-changer. For the first time in South Carolina, forest landowners impacted by a hurricane will receive financial assistance to help recover a portion of the value of their lost timber. Unlike row crops, timber isn’t typically insured, leaving landowners with few options beyond the IRS casualty loss provisions. We’re grateful to our partners at the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and USDA for recognizing the need and working together to bring this long-overdue support to our state’s forestry community.”
To qualify for aid related to market loss, future economic loss, plasticulture, or aquaculture claims, some producers must agree to obtain USDA Risk Management coverage for two crop years. Applicants are required to provide documentation supporting their claims as well as a USDA Farm Service Agency number.
SCDA is developing the application process with input from USDA officials. Updates about program details will be made available at agriculture.sc.gov/helene where interested parties can also sign up for email alerts regarding further developments.
