Hugh E. Weathers, Commissioner

Media Contact: Eva Moore, SCDA Communications Director, 803-734-2196, emoore@scda.sc.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 30, 2025

South Carolina Announces Farm and Forest Aid for Helene Relief

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Agriculture will use federal funding to issue $38 million in targeted aid to South Carolina farmers and forest landowners who sustained certain losses and damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024.

The South Carolina Disaster Relief Block Grant for Helene, which will roll out later this year, is aimed at production losses not covered by other USDA programs or crop insurance. The program will cover four categories of eligible losses: infrastructure damage, market losses, future economic losses, and timber losses. It will apply to the 33 counties and one tribal area that received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Helene.

“South Carolina’s farmers and forest landowners have worked tirelessly to recover from Helene’s devastation, and this funding will close crucial gaps to assure a future for their businesses,” said South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. “A strong agriculture and forestry sector is essential to our state’s economy and security, and we’re committed to distributing this funding quickly. I’d like to thank South Carolina’s farmers and forest landowners who offered information and feedback, and US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and her staff for their collaboration as we work to get this critical aid into the right hands.”

“This USDA block grant is a game-changer,” said State Forester Scott Phillips. “For the first time in South Carolina, forest landowners impacted by a hurricane will receive financial assistance to help recover a portion of the value of their lost timber. Unlike row crops, timber isn’t typically insured, leaving landowners with few options beyond the IRS casualty loss provisions. We’re grateful to our partners at the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and USDA for recognizing the need and working together to bring this long-overdue support to our state’s forestry community.”

To receive funding, certain producers must agree to acquire and maintain USDA Risk Management coverage for a period of two crop years for market loss, future economic loss, plasticulture, and aquaculture claims. Applicants will have to supply documentation of losses, among other requirements, and agriculture producers will be required to provide a USDA Farm Service Agency number.

SCDA is currently creating the program work plan and application in coordination with USDA. As more information about the program is available, it will be posted at agriculture.sc.gov/helene. The page also has a signup link to receive email alerts about the program.

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