As damage assessments and recovery efforts get underway for farms and other agriculture operations, it is important to remember these important things as you apply for aid. This page will be updated as new resources are shared. Please have patience as we process needs, and continue to take care of yourselves and each other. If you have questions or specific needs, please email us and we will do our best to help direct you as internet, and phone service is restored.

CAMERAS BEFORE CHAINSAWS: Please take pictures of existing crops and any damage that has occurred.

RAFI on documentation for FSA:

1. Document damage with dated photographs, videos, and third-party verification (non-family if possible).

2. Make every effort to report farm damage to your local USDA Service Center to request assistance (if the office doesn’t answer, be sure to leave a voicemail).

• Call your local USDA service center to seek pre-authorization to maximize your chances of getting cost-share reimbursements for repairs. If no one answers, leave a voicemail describing the damage and the repairs needed. If the line is down, you may call any county office in NC or you may call the state office listed below:

(Be prepared to leave your name and description of damage (include both emergency and long-term) and a list of repairs you are requesting funding for.)

3. Farmers should start taking extensive notes in addition to pictures

• – What damage you’ve experienced
• – What repairs you need to do
• – What costs you incur in implementing repairs
• – RECEIPTS!

4. If possible to wait, do not start permanent repairs and field restoration without FSA authorization. You may do emergency repairs, e.g. gates, fencing, etc. RAFI’s Crisis Hotline if you have questions or need assistance: 866.586.6746 and please see the FSA information listed below:

NC FSA State Office
4407 Bland Rd, Suite 175
Raleigh, NC 27609;
(919) 875-4800

As of October 4, we can report that the nearest center that can handle calls is located in Asheboro, and their staff has been prepared to be a central hub for the time being.We expect to have teams rotating at office closer to WNC as accessibility improves. The phone number for the Asheboro USDA Service Center located at Asheboro, 847 Curry Drive is: 336-629-4449 ext.4

• Assessing Damage in Produce Crops During Times of Excessive Rainfall | NC State Extension
• Hurricane Resources for Farmers – Carolina Farm Stewardship Association

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How to apply for FEMA assistance

If you are denied FEMA please know that you have a chance to appeal! For more complete information and how to apply for FEMA go to DisasterAssistance.gov

NC Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services farmer hotline: 1-866-645-9403, open between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

• El Departamento de Agricultura y Servicios al Consumidor de Carolina del Norte ha activado su línea directa de emergencia climática para la agricultura; el número gratuito es 1-866-645-9403.

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NCDA&CS Emergency Programs – Recovery: ncagr.gov/emergency-programs/recover

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***WNC Communities Immediate Disaster Needs Grant***

WNC Communities Immediate Disaster Needs Grant recognizes that farmers have immediate needs to stabilize their farm businesses and to support our food system. For the first round of funding, we will be accepting applications from October 10th – 31st. Funds will be awarded on a rolling basis, prioritizing the most urgent needs first.

Farm businesses with damages directly related to Tropical Storm Helene are eligible. Any farm with direct damages within WNC Communities’ 20 county service region may apply: Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, Macon, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Yancey.

Online applications are available through the link below, and the Buncombe Cooperative Extension Center will have paper applications and can assist those with limited connectivity. THIS FUND IS ONLY FOR BONAFIDE FARMS, and a representative from a partner agency will pre-qualify your application to make sure your farm meets the requirements of this assistance program. Partner organizations include: WNC Communities, N.C. Cooperative Extension, local county Soil and Water offices, NC Farm Bureau, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP), North Carolina Department of Agriculture &Consumer Services, WNC Livestock Exchange

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***ASAP Immediate Disaster Relief Fund***

This grant is intended to support farms with significant losses due to disasters. Farmers may apply for up to $500 to cover immediate needs and expenses towards cleaning, replanting, repairing, or other costs not covered through insurance or other programs that will allow the farm to quickly recover. Qualifying farms must be Appalachian Grown certified (farms can easily create a Local Food Guide listing to ensure you meet this initial requirement). See eligible counties below.

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Fresh Produce Safety

Western NC
Elena Rogers – Area Specialized Agent- Food Safety/Fresh Produce elena_rogers@ncsu.edu or via phone at (828)352-2519

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Produce Selling

If anyone has farmers in the region who need to sell their food, please email jmrugal@ncsu.edu.

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WNC Regional Livestock Center

Based in Canton, the livestock center is working to help farmers and animals who were affected by flooding. You can donate toward helping local farmers who need to buy feed for animals. The center also helps supply fencing and other essentials.

• Contact: Yvonne Coburn with Civilian Disaster Response at 828-216-4496.
• More information available here.

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2024 Hurricane Helene Livestock Assistance Form

Website: 2024 Hurricane Helene Livestock Assistance Form (google.com)

A place to submit the needs that producers have and donations of supplies that people want to give. Both NCDA&CS and NCCES folks will have access to the responses. In the immediate term, we’ll work to match up supply/demand. Long term, working on a way to make available supplies visible to everyone.

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Disaster Hay Assistance

Webiste: Disaster Hay Assistance
The Disaster Hay Assistance Portal is a resource that connects farmers who have lost their feed supply during a disaster with those who may have hay or feed to donate. No sales or transactions are made on this website. The requests and offers are collected and sent to NCSU Cooperative Extension, where they are matched and coordinated by Extension personnel.

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Farmworkers

Workers can go to any shelter open to the general public during emergencies. If workers need to be moved into alternative housing, growers should call Beth Rodman (NC Dept of Labor) before moving them (if possible) or as soon as possible. Rodman’s direct line is (919) 707-7810.

Emergency Preparedness for Farmworkers (osha.gov)

Vecinos is also operating in the region.

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AgSouth Farm Credit: If you need assistance please contact 844-AGSOUTH and you will be routed to a loan officer.

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North Carolina Farm Help Line
Phone: 844-325-3276

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need assistance in connecting to mental and emotional support, the NC Farm Help Line is available by phone or text.

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Request on-farm assistance from Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture: 828-412-0834 or info@brwia.org, or complete this form.

Water treatment info from EPA 

Generator use safety from CDC

Food Safety: DPH’s Water and Food Safety and CDC’s Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency.

Other Resources/Posts:

Helene Aftermath: WNC Farm Assistance and Information

NCCES Disaster