Attention producers which suffered farm related damages during Hurricane Helene! The USDA Block Grant Disaster Relief Program Application Period has been extended from Friday, May 15, 2026 to June 12, 2026. This programs is for farmers seeking assistance for farm infrastructure loss (roads, bridges, culverts, barns, greenhouses, hi-tunnels, immovable equipment such as cattle handling facilities, etc.), market losses, and future economic farm losses. These funds were designed to cover production losses not covered by USDA programs or crop insurance. The programs for Farm Infrastructure Loss, Market Loss, and Future Economic Loss are administered by NCDA&CS, but N.C. Cooperative Extension is available to assist producers with completing their applications.
In addition to the USDA Block Grant programs, producers which suffered loss of movable farm equipment, need assistance with streambank repairs, or with pond repair can also indicate the need to be assisted through other state funded programs. There is a question on the Infrastructure program application that will communicate the need for assistance to NCDA representatives. Any farmer that missed out on the previous opportunity to receive assistance for equipment loss should also apply for assistance through the Infrastructure Loss Grant.
The Timber Loss Relief Program (TLRP), also funded through the USDA Block Grant, also still has an application deadline of June 12, 2026. TLRP is administered by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), but the N.C. Forest Service is assisting forest land owners with applying.
For more information about USDA Block Grant Disaster Relief program, please go to http://ncagr.gov/agdisaster. Yancey County farmers that have not yet applied for assistance to the USDA Block Grant funded program that have suffered eligible losses for this program can receive assistance with their application from N.C. Cooperative Extension of Yancey County. To schedule an appointment, please contact David Davis (david_davis@ncsu.edu) or call the N.C. Cooperative Extension Yancey County Center at (828) 682-6186. Please remember that the current deadline to complete the application is June 12, 2026.
