Tropical Storm Helene damaged many fields throughout Yancey County. The storm drastically damaged many productive soils throughout the county, and left many fields in need of restoration. Adding quality compost is one practices that, when implemented, can help restore farms with soil impacted by TS Helene.

Eagle Resources Group LLC has initiated a project where they are transforming woody storm debris left by TS Helene into a usable compost. This group is also planning to give away compost to farmers that can use to for restoring soil. The compost that will be made available to local farmers will have undergone certified composting and testing methods. The certification process involves detailed record keeping throughout the composting process to make sure the material has had the proper time, temperature, and moisture content that will allow for a final quality compost product. To become certified compost, the temperature of the decomposing material must be maintained at a minimum of 133F for at least 15 days. Eagle Resources Group LLC is currently maintaining windrows of woody materials at the necessary temperatures, for the necessary amount of time, and under the correct moisture conditions to produce a quality compost product. Since this is processed storm debris, the final product will not be certified organic as there is not a way to comply with the requirements for organic certification. Once the final compost product is finished processing, it will be tested for nutrient content and quality indicators. If all goes as planned, local farmers restoring farms that were impacted by TS Helene will be able to receive compost potentially as early as February 2026.

Are you a farmer that was impacted by TS Helene, that could benefit from receiving compost for your farm? N.C. Cooperative Extension of Yancey County is currently putting together a list of eligible farmers, homesteaders, and gardeners that can use compost in efforts to repair their soil. This list of producers will be shared with the Eagle Resources Group LLC, and then they will distribute compost to farmers as compost becomes ready for distribution. If you would like to arrange to receive compost, please contact us to be added to the compost distribution list. N.C. Cooperative Extension of Yancey County is also currently putting together a proposal for funding which will allow compost to be delivered to farmers at no cost.

• Contact David Davis (david_davis) or call the N.C. Cooperative Extension Yancey County Center at (828) 682-6186 to sign up for the program.
• The list of program participants will be shared with Eagle Resources Group LLC
• Those impacted by Tropical Storm Helene, and that are actively engaged in farming as a business will receive priority distribution. Only farmers engaged in farming as a business will be eligible for compost delivery (if this service is indeed fully funded)