North Carolina Leaders Seek Federal Aid for Farmers Six Months After Hurricane Helene

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Dr. Basil Gooden and U.S. Congressman for North Carolina’s 11th District the Honorable Chuck Edwards participated in a groundbreaking ceremony hosted by Housing Assistance Corporation of Westen North Carolina on October 29, 2024. (USDA Photo By North Carolina Public Information Officer Robert Kerns)

Six months after Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein and Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler have appealed to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for a block grant to bolster recovery efforts for the region’s farmers. In a letter sent on March 31, 2025, the leaders highlighted the critical role agriculture plays in the area’s economy and the unprecedented challenges farmers face following the storm.

Hurricane Helene inflicted severe damage on farms, leaving behind staggering losses that threaten the livelihoods of agricultural producers. The storm’s catastrophic impact has pushed farmers into a precarious position, with many unable to recover without significant external support. The requested block grant would draw from funds allocated in the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2025, and discussions about distributing these resources are already underway. Swift approval is seen as essential to help farmers restore sustainable production levels.

The call for federal assistance follows recent state-level action. Just last week, Governor Stein signed the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 - Part 1 into law, allocating $200 million to aid North Carolina farmers dealing with crop losses and infrastructure damage from the hurricane. Despite this step, Stein continues to push for additional funding to address ongoing needs, such as repairing farm infrastructure and clearing debris from agricultural land.

The extensive damage caused by Hurricane Helene has underscored the scale of the recovery ahead. With agriculture a cornerstone of Western North Carolina’s economy, Stein and Troxler are banking on USDA support to provide the resources necessary to rebuild. Timely federal aid, they argue, will be key to helping farmers overcome the storm’s lingering effects and regain their footing.