Disaster Recovery For Farms

Hurricane Helene caused a “one in 1,000 years” rainfall event, bringing our rivers to carry so much water that communities were devastated by flooding and destroyed infrastructure, and the loss of neighbors and friends. The recovery will be a long haul. ARCD stands by our agricultural community and moving ahead will do everything we can to support immediate assistance and long term resiliency and recovery. This is a dynamic page of resources as the recovery situation unfolds.

Donate to the Resilient Farm Fund

DONATE HERE

ARCD has created a new fund, the Reslient Farmer Fund, to support farms in NETN impacted by Hurricane Helene.  Our best estimate is that around 1,000 small family farms were impacted by the storm in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Johnson, Sevier, Unicoi, and Washington Counties.  Many farms were damaged by flooding and wind, losing their livestock, crops, fencing, bridge and road access, and worse.  Some farms were washed away entirely.  The fund will be used to provide impacted farmers immediate cash grants and longer term help with recovery, including grants to cover the farmer’s cost-share on Federal Emergency Flood Programs.  

Application for Immediate Cash Relief

Applications are closed for Immediate Cash Relief. All awarded applicants will be notified and receive funds prior to December 25.

Applications for additional funding opportunities will be opening in early 2025.

Attention: 3 Priorities after a Disaster

posted 10/2/2024

Cameras Before Chainsaws

Document damage before clean up.

Your phone will take dated photographs, videos.

Get someone else to take photos as well for third-party verification (non-family if possible).

Make Your List and Check it Twice

(1) Alongside photographs, take extensive notes about the damage.

(2) Start making a list of what you will need to rebuild and repurchase for the farm.

(3) Keep a rough record of your hours spent on clean up.

(4) If you buy anything, keep receipts, however it is ideal to call FSA first and get pre-authorization.

Contact FSA ASAP

Use that list to learn what programs you may be eligible for by filling out the USDA Disaster Recovery tool.

As soon as you have your list make every effort to report farm damage to your local USDA Service Center to request assistance. You are seeking 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. 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.

Relief & Recovery Resources

 

USDA Disaster/Insurance Programs

  • USDA Disaster Assistance Programs main webpage
  • USDA Disaster Assistance At A Glance graphic of programs
  • For each of these insurance programs, RAFI has translated them into laymens’ terms and what they might mean for your average small scale farm. 
  • These are cost-share programs that pay 75% of the cost and landowners pay the remaining 25%. If you are beginning or socially-disadvantaged farmer category you may quality to get 90% of costs covered. You apply for these programs through your local FSA office.
  • NRCS Emergency Watershed Program – ask your elected officials if your Town or City can apply for help in recovering infrastructure for the municipality and landowners, such as bridges and streambanks.
  • Farmers.gov USDA Hurricane Recovery Resources and specific check lists for farms in the wake of a flood.

Other National programs:

 

State Information:

TEMA Updates on public health and emergency response active in the counties affected.

TEAP cost-share program deadlines are extended for producers applying from flood areas, from October until December! 

TN Department of Agriculture’s response daily briefing, such as where to donate hay and livestock feed.

 

County Agriculture Resources

Below is the list of County EMA offices that you can contact if you are in need of livestock feed and/or hay – leave a message as documentation if you cannot get through to the office:

Carter County – Mr. Billy Harrell, Director Elizabethton – Carter Co EMA, 525 S Sycamore St. Elizabethton, TN 37643

 Email: harrellb@cartercountytn.gov

Work: 423-542-1888

Carter County – Fill out this Google Form if you need assistance with livestock feed/hay or with fencing

 

Greene County – Ms. Heather Sipe, Director Greeneville – Greene Co EMA, 311 CCU Blvd. Suite 2, Greeneville, TN 37745

Email: heather.sipe@greenecountytn.gov

Work: 423-798-1729

 

 Unicoi County – Mr. Jimmy Erwin, Director Erwin-Unicoi Co EMA P.O. Box 169, 100 N Main St. Erwin, TN 37650

Email: jimmyerwinema@gmail.com

Work: 423-742-1850

 

Washington County – Evan Clyburn, Director Washington County – JC EMA, 4724 Lake Park Drive, Johnson City, TN 37615

Email: eclyburn@washingtoncountytn.org

Work: 423-434-6082

 

Hancock County – Mr. Freddie Mullins, Director Hancock County EMA, P.O. Box 2 Sneedville, TN 37869

Email: forestry126@gmail.com

Work: 423-733-2249

 

Hawkins County – Mr. Jamie Miller, Director Hawkins County EMA, 150 Washington St. Rogersville, TN 37857

Email: jamie.miller@hawkinscountytn.gov

Work: 423-272-8059

 

 Johnson County – Mr. Jason Blevins, Director Johnson County EMA, 216 Honeysuckle St., Mountain City, TN 37683

Email: ema@johnsoncountytn.gov

Work: 423-727-2507

 

Sullivan County – Mr. Jim Bean, Director Sullivan County EMA, 3193 Highway 126, Suite 101, Blountville, TN 37617

Email: jim.bean@sullivancountytn.gov

Work: 423-323-6912

 

Mental Health and Stress Support:

  • 1-800-985-5990 – The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

  • 1-800-FARM-AID – For farm families under extreme stress who need a sympathetic ear, someone to listen and provide relief from the anxiety and desperation they may be experiencing, call Farm Aid.