For Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, the USDA provides several offices and agencies that can assist farmers. Here is a list of key USDA offices and programs that could be involved in disaster recovery and support:

1. Farm Service Agency (FSA) Role*: The FSA offers disaster assistance programs to help farmers recover from natural disasters like hurricanes. They provide emergency loans, crop insurance, and conservation assistance.

2. Key Programs:

   • Emergency Loan Program: Provides loans to help farmers recover from production and physical losses.
   • Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP): Provides assistance for livestock death losses due to hurricanes and other disasters.
   • Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): Offers funding to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters.
   • Contact: USDA FSA Office Locator

3. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Role*: NRCS assists farmers with land recovery, conservation efforts, and rebuilding infrastructure like fences and water systems damaged by hurricanes.

4. Key Programs:
   • Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): Provides financial and technical assistance to repair damage to agricultural land.
   • Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP): Offers recovery support for damaged watersheds.

5. Contact: NRCS Office Locator

6. Risk Management Agency (RMA) Role*: RMA administers the Federal Crop Insurance Program, which helps farmers manage risks and recover from agricultural losses caused by natural disasters.

7. Key Programs:
   • Federal Crop Insurance: Provides indemnity payments for crop losses due to hurricane-related weather conditions.

8. Contact: RMA Regional Offices

9. Rural Development (RD) Role*: RD helps rural communities rebuild after disasters by offering loans, grants, and technical assistance for infrastructure projects, housing, and community facilities.

10. Key Programs:
    • Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program: Assists with rebuilding essential services like health care, fire stations, and utility services.
    • Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants: Helps communities regain access to clean water.

11. Contact: USDA Rural Development Offices

12. Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Role*: FNS works with state and local partners to offer food assistance during and after disasters.

13. Key Programs:
    • Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP): Provides food assistance to low-income families affected by natural disasters.

14. Contact: FNS Regional Offices

15. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Role*: APHIS helps farmers and communities deal with animal health emergencies and pest outbreaks that can arise after hurricanes.

16. Key Programs:
    • Emergency Management Programs: Provides technical support and disaster response coordination for animal and plant health.

17. Contact: APHIS Regional Offices

18. Cooperative Extension Service Role*: This service, often linked to local universities, provides technical advice and support to farmers dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters. They may also help connect farmers with USDA resources.

19. Contact: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Extension Office Locator

Each of these offices offers unique support for different aspects of hurricane recovery, including financial aid, infrastructure repair, and conservation. Farmers should contact their local USDA Service Center to access these resources directly.

Sabrina Halvorson
National Correspondent / AgNet Media, Inc.

Sabrina Halvorson is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and public speaker who specializes in agriculture. She primarily reports on legislative issues and hosts The AgNet Weekly podcast. Sabrina is a native of California’s agriculture-rich Central Valley.

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