The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will provide over $38.3 million in recovery assistance to South Carolina agricultural producers affected by Hurricane Helene. The funds, distributed through a block grant agreement with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), aim to help farmers and ranchers recover from financial losses caused by the storm. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins emphasized the administration’s commitment to ensuring that farmers have the resources needed to continue producing a safe and abundant food supply.
South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers highlighted the importance of the funding in supporting the state’s agriculture and forestry sector, noting that the assistance would help close critical gaps and secure the future of local businesses. The grant program administered by SCDA will cover infrastructure and timber losses, as well as future economic and market losses, focusing on areas not addressed by other USDA disaster programs. Producers are advised to consult SCDA for detailed program information.
This initiative is part of the broader $30 billion disaster assistance effort authorized by the American Relief Act of 2025. USDA is working with 14 states to implement tailored block grants that address each state’s unique recovery needs. The agency has finalized the grant agreement for South Carolina to ensure timely delivery of aid for qualifying losses.
In addition to Hurricane Helene relief, USDA continues to implement other disaster assistance programs under the American Relief Act, 2025. Stage 1 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) was launched to support producers who suffered revenue or production losses due to weather events in 2023 and 2024. The Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) has issued over $1 billion to livestock producers affected by drought and wildfires, with an additional $1 billion expected for losses from floods and non-federally managed wildfires. The Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) has distributed over $9 billion to help producers cope with rising input costs and declining commodity prices. Producers can track ongoing assistance programs on USDA’s website, which is regularly updated.
