12/02/2025
🌾 ATTENTION SC FARMERS & FOREST LANDOWNERS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE HELENE
$38 million in federal funding has been allocated to the South Carolina Department of Agriculture to assist those who suffered specific agricultural and timber-related losses from Hurricane Helene (2024).
🕒 When Can You Apply?
📌 Application period opens in early 2026 and will remain open for 60 days.
📌 Application will be online only.
✅ WHO IS ELIGIBLE
You may apply if you are a farmer or forest landowner who:
Is located within one of the 33 federally declared disaster counties (includes Spartanburg)
Suffered an eligible loss directly caused by Hurricane Helene.
Had ownership share and production risk in the crop, livestock, or timber.
Applicants must be one of the following:
U.S. citizen
Resident alien (lawful alien under 7 CFR part 1400)
Partnership, corporation, LLC or other entity composed only of citizens/resident aliens
Indian Tribe or Tribal organization
🌪️ WHAT LOSSES ARE ELIGIBLE?
The Block Grant covers four major categories of losses not covered by USDA programs or crop insurance:
🌲 1. Timber Losses
Private forest land only.
Must own the land at the time of the storm.
Minimum 10 contiguous forested acres, with at least 15% of trees significantly damaged.
Land must have had tree cover before Helene.
🏚️ 2. Infrastructure Damage
Minimum of $750 in storm-related damage per category.
Eligible Infrastructure Includes:
On-Farm Building Structures
Barns, silos, greenhouses, poultry houses
Evidence required that commodities/livestock were present within 12 months before Helene
Not eligible: equipment sheds, repair shops, movable equipment
Above-Ground Irrigation
Only above-ground components
Must have been used in production in the 12 months before Helene
Not eligible: pumps, wells, underground systems
Aquaculture Infrastructure
Tanks, cages, breeding houses, docks
Aquaculture must have been present within previous 12 months
Not eligible: boats, portable/ movable equipment
On-Farm Roads, Bridges, Culverts
Must provide direct access to farm production
Must be privately owned
Not eligible: forest land roads
🌱 3. Future Economic Losses
For producers of perennial crops and multi-year crops/shellfish (e.g., orchards, vineyards, young oysters) that will have multi-year revenue losses due to Helene.
Must show at least 5% loss of total perennial crops.
Must carry crop insurance or NAP for future years.
📉 4. Market Losses
For producers who:
Lost access to markets because of Helene
Lost stored commodities (with some exceptions)
Lost the ability to sell value-added products due to lack of market access
Must show at least 5% loss and agree to future crop insurance/NAP coverage.
📄 WHAT DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE GATHERED NOW?
Prepare early to avoid delays once applications open:
Farm Service Agency (FSA) number (farmers only)
Tax parcel ID and parcel map
Schedule F or other proof of farm income
Verified loss documentation (photos, assessments, receipts, etc.)
LEARN MORE HERE:
The South Carolina Department of Agriculture has been allocated $38 million in federal funding to issue targeted aid to South Carolina farmers and forest landowners who sustained certain losses and damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024. The South Carolina Disaster Relief Block Grant for Helene, which...
