November/December 2024 - 43

CLIMATE
Georgia agriculture struggles in
aftermath of Hurricane Helene
n the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Georgia's
agricultural industry, the state's largest economic
driver, faces an estimated $6.46 billion in damages.
The storm, which struck in September, devastated farms
and rural communities across the Southeast, particularly
in Georgia and Florida, leaving thousands of farm families
struggling to recover.
I
Agriculture contributes more than $83 billion annually to
Georgia's economy and employs more than 320,000 people.
The preliminary damage estimate, announced by State
Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Governor Brian
Kemp and the University of Georgia (UGA), includes crop
losses, damage to agricultural businesses and recovery costs.
" This storm could not have come at a worse time for
Georgia farmers, " Harper said. " Right now, the future is
uncertain for thousands of farm families. "
Full damage assessments will take months. The
hurricane's impact adds to challenges farmers were
already facing, including inflation, high input costs
and low commodity prices. National farm income was
projected to decline by $6.5 billion in 2024 after a $35.6
billion drop in 2023.
" USDA is taking steps to keep farms viable and help
rural communities recover as quickly as possible, " said U.S.
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. The department
has deployed 190 staff to assist with debris removal and
disaster response.
Farmers and ranchers impacted by the storm can access
various USDA disaster assistance programs, including
extended signup periods for the Emergency Conservation
Program (ECP) and the Emergency Forest Restoration
Program (EFRP), beginning Oct. 15. The USDA has also
expedited crop insurance payments aiming to issue
payments within 30 days. Farmers are urged to report losses
to local USDA Service Centers and document damages with
photos and inventory records.
Harper, alongside state lawmakers, sent a letter to
Georgia's congressional delegation requesting a federal
block grant to provide more flexibility than existing USDA
emergency programs.
" We depend on our farmers to drive our economy and
provide the food and fiber we rely on every day, " Gov.
Kemp said.
Nick Place, dean of the College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences at University of Georgia,
highlighted the storm's immediate and long-term effects,
including widespread power outages and property damage.
" In the coming weeks and months, it will be critical that
we do all we can to support Georgia producers as they
navigate lost income and determine the next steps forward
in their operations, " Place said.
In addition to federal aid, more than 40 agricultural
organizations have launched the " Weathered But Strong:
Georgia Hurricane Relief Fund. " Donations from the fund
will directly support farmers affected by Hurricane Helene.
For more information, farmers are encouraged to visit
farmers.gov or call the USDA's Farm Service Agency hotline
or visit farmers.gov/protection-recovery/hurricane.
NATIONALNUTGROWER.COM 43
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November/December 2024

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