The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide more than US$531 million in recovery assistance to agricultural producers in Georgia impacted by Hurricane Helene. The funding will be distributed through a block grant agreement with the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA).
USDA stated that the block grant will help address the economic impact of the hurricane on Georgia's farmers and ranchers. Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper confirmed the state will administer the funding through the Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program.
This allocation forms part of the US$30 billion disaster assistance relief package authorized under the American Relief Act, 2025. USDA is working with 14 states, including Georgia, to design block grant programs tailored to specific recovery needs. According to the USDA, the forthcoming grant agreement with Georgia will cover economic losses, infrastructure damage, and timber losses. Program details will be released by GDA once the agreement is finalized.
Additional USDA assistance programs
USDA continues to implement other provisions of the American Relief Act of 2025. In July, the department launched the first stage of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) to support producers with crop losses in 2023 and 2024.
Through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP), more than US$1 billion has been issued to livestock producers impacted by drought and wildfires on federally managed lands. A further US$1 billion in payments is expected for producers affected by floods and wildfires on non-federally managed lands in 2023 and 2024. Applications for ELRP assistance remain open until October 31, 2025.
USDA has also announced a second tranche of the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP), which has delivered over US$9 billion to producers to address rising input costs and declining commodity prices.
For more information:
USDA
Tel: +1 (202) 720-2791
Email: [email protected]
www.usda.gov