(The Center Square) – Nearly $311 million in assistance can be sought by North Carolina farmers for crop loss relief caused by Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Debby, drought and other weather conditions in 2024.
Prerequisites include the farm being in an area affected by disaster; verifiable loss of agriculture or aquaculture commodities as a result of an agricultural disaster last year; and the commodity or aquaculture was planted or being raised before the date of a designated secretarial or presidential declaration for the county.
Deadline for applications is May 4. Form 578 and a completed W-9 should be on file with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency.
“We know some farmers may not know the extent of damage to their crops yet,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said. “Growers of nursery crops, fruit-bearing trees and bushes, and certain horticultural crops may request a deadline extension to June 18. The extension must be requested in the online application that is due May 4.”
Agriculture is the state’s No. 1 industry, with annual economic impact estimated at $111.1 billion.
The funding was included in the General Assembly’s $524 million package signed into law March 20.
“Our farmers are reeling from a disastrous 2024 season, so we are moving quickly to get this program up and running to get money flowing to them,” Troxler said. “This funding is a lifeline as they look to restore their farms and livelihood.”
Western North Carolina farmers are earmarked for $200 million and more than $100 million is spread throughout the rest of the state. All 100 counties are included in the coverage and application process.
North Carolina is No. 1 nationally each in all tobacco, flue-cured tobacco, sweet potatoes, and poultry and eggs. It is No. 2 in Christmas tree sales, production of turkeys, and food-size trout sold. It is No. 3 in cucumbers and hogs, No. 4 in peanuts and broilers (chicken), and No. 5 in cotton.
About 42,500 farms are operated on 8.1 million acres.
