Flooding of Cotton Field After HurricaneThe USDA announced new disaster assistance for North Carolina farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene. Deputy Secretary Stephen Alexander Vaden signed a $221.2 million block grant agreement with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS). The program will help cover infrastructure, timber, market, and future revenue losses.

This funding is part of the $30 billion disaster relief package authorized under the American Relief Act of 2025. The USDA is coordinating similar block grants with 14 states, including North Carolina, to tailor recovery efforts to local needs.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins emphasized that farmers across the Southeast endured major economic losses in 2024. The administration is working quickly to provide relief.

Vaden noted that the grant demonstrates the administration’s commitment to cutting red tape and supporting rural economies. North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler welcomed the funding, highlighting its importance to farmers still recovering from widespread losses.

Beyond this grant, the USDA continues implementing broader assistance programs. This includes the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program, which began in July 2025. Existing programs like the Emergency Livestock Relief Program and the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program have already delivered nearly $9 billion in aid nationwide.

Read more on the USDA block grant programs here.