Recovery Resources for Farmers
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Collapse ▲This page will continue to be updated as more information becomes available. Be sure to scroll down to the section about other assistance programs as we continue to learn of more available funds for farmers impacted by Helene.
Our hearts goes out to our community during this difficult time. The Haywood County Center is available to help answer any questions you may have as you begin the process of reporting crop losses and clean up. If you need assistance, please email rachel_douglas@ncsu.edu or call 828-456-3575 and we can help direct you to the right agency and resources to help you during this time. In the meantime, there are several resources listed below to help you navigate the recovery process.
If you are located in a county other than Haywood County, please contact your local county center for assistance.
Text Alerts
Sign up for alerts for Helene relief updates for Haywood County Farmers. We will send out notifications as we have more information to share.
Help Lines
Ag Emergencies Hotline with the N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. A live operator will be available from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 1-866-645-9403 to assist farmers.
NC Farm Help Line. A support line available by phone or text at 844-325-3276 for those needing mental or emotional support. You can also email info@ncfarmstress.org
Livestock Farm Needs
Livestock Assistance Form. Fill out this form if you need assistance with livestock or you are able to help with livestock needs. If you cannot fill out the online form, you can also call the NCDA&CS hotline at 1-866-645-9403.
WNC Livestock Center. The livestock center has been working with the Civilian Disaster Response Organization to help meet needs for livestock.
Smoky Mountain Event Center located at 758 Crabtree Road, Waynesville is a distribution and donation site for hay and cattle supplies. For updated facility hours or for questions please call or text 828-565-7010.
Hay Donations. If you are able to donate hay, we will need more hay in the coming months. Please contact Kyla-Jo Farmer (kyla-jo_farmer@ncsu.edu) or Rachel Douglas (rachel_douglas@ncsu.edu) at 828-456-3575 to discuss timing of donation for the winter months.
Other Immediate Farm Needs
Food to Sell. If you have food that you need to sell, please contact Jess Mrugala (jmrugal@ncsu.edu), regional area specialized agent for local food systems in our region.
Haywood Christian Ministries in Waynesville is also buying eggs, meat, produce, bread, and milk. Please contact Laura Torres at laura@haywoodministry.org or by phone (919-219-1178 or 828-666-3275).
WNC Farmers Market is also accepting new vendors if you are looking for a place to sell your farm product. The site is also hosting Manna Foodbank.
Farmworkers. If needed farmworkers can go to any shelter open to the public and Vecinos (828-293-2274) is also working in the region. If you need to move farmworkers to alternate housing or location, call Beth Rodman (919-707-7810) with the NC Department of Labor beforehand.
Damaged Farm Equipment. If you have damaged farm equipment or tractors in need of mechanical repairs located in Haywood County, please contact Haywood Soil & Water Conservation District at 828-452-2741 ext. 3
Reporting Crop Losses
After you gather the necessary documentation, contact your local county Farm Service Agency and/or your insurance office. Please remember that staff and offices may also have been impacted by the storm but will respond as soon as then can. Please also review this article providing crop insurance guidance for farmers.
Please make sure to document and keep notes.
- Take pictures and videos of all the damage to crops, land, and equipment.
- Find before pictures and videos if you have them.
- Make a list of expected repair costs.
- Keep track of all repair expenses.
- Keep all receipts.
- Keep track of all labor associated with clean up.
- Note: date of weather event, when flooding occurred, and when flood waters receded.
- Note: crops damaged, stage of crop, map of fields, percentage of crop affected, and yield loss estimates.
- Keep a log of all contacts made to various agencies, insurance companies, and repair companies to refer back to at a future date if needed.
- Review this list of things to note specific to livestock farmers.
Federal Assistance Programs
The USDA has several Disaster Assistance Programs available. The Disaster Assistance Tool Kit can help you identify assistance programs that might be beneficial for your operation.
If you have not previously participated in any USDA programs, you will need to bring proof of identity (i.e. driver’s license, social security card, tax ID number), deed or rental agreement for the land, and articles of incorporation, estate, or trust documents for entities.
Haywood County has service centers for the NRCS and the FSA.
Natural Resources Conservation Service – Haywood Office (828) 456-6341
Farm Service Agency – Haywood Office (828) 456-3557 Ext. 2
If located outside of Haywood County, find your local offices at the sites listed below.
Please also fill out a FEMA application for damage to buildings. More information about federal disaster relief see one of the articles below or call the FEMA hotline at 1-800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Haywood County also has a call center for questions or assistance related to Helene’s impact, call 828-356-2020 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Need Help? Where to Start with Hurricane Recovery
Getting Federal Assistance After Hurricane Helene
As we hear of available assistance programs and resources, we will update this page. Scroll down for a list of other assistance programs & resources including emergency relief funds for farmers.
Please also check out the NCDA&CS Disaster Information for the most up to date news on their relief programs.
Clean Up
Remember to contact your insurance agency and document damages before beginning the clean up process beyond basic emergency repairs.
Hurricane Recovery Commodity Guides for NC Producers. These guides provide information on reporting crop losses and clean up considerations.
NC Disaster Information Center Recovery Factsheets. A list of factsheets for disaster recovery topics for both your home and farm.
Pesticide Storage Facility Damage. If you experienced damage to your pesticide storage, this factsheet walks you through steps to cleaning up any spills.
Well Water Affected by Flooding. If you experienced flooding, you will want to inspect your well. For well water testing contact Haywood Development Services at 828-452-6638.
Disaster Cleanup Line. Contact 844-965-1386
Damaged Farmland & Soil Concerns
Many farms in our region experienced landslides and flooding leaving behind debris and in some cases large holes.
The Farm Service Agency does have a program for damages to farmland called the Emergency Conservation Program. It is important to talk to the local FSA office prior to completing any repairs to your farmland that would be disturbing the soil.
Soil Management Recommendations for Helene Impacted Soils. A factsheet with information about next steps for soil testing and improvement.
Heavy Metal Testing Labs. The NCDA&CS Agronomic Lab does not offer heavy metal testing and if you are concerned about heavy metals or microbial contamination you will need to use one of the private labs at the link above. Note: some labs listed only test water.
Produce Food Safety Concerns
If you experienced flooding to food crops, the following factsheets provide guidance to food safety concerns during flooding events.
Assessing Damage in Produce Crops During Times of Excessive Rainfall
Evaluating the Safety of Flood-affected Food Crops for Human Consumption
FAQs about Handling Flooded Produce
Ensuring Water is of Sanitary Quality for Pesticide Applications
Other Assistance Programs & Resources
NCDA&CS Disaster Information has the most up to date news on their relief programs.
Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) has disaster resouces listed on their website. If you are Certified Appalachian Grown, they have an Appalachian Grown Farmer Immediate Needs Grant.
WNC Communities grant application period for immediate farmer needs has now closed.
Empowering Mountain Food Systems has an Immediate Needs Relief Program for farmers impacted by Helene located in their county region and involved in food and/or fiber production.
U.S. Small Business Administration has announced low interest disaster loans for businesses and residents of NC impacted by Helene. This will be applicable for Agritourism ventures.
Farm Aid has a list or resources for farmers, a hotline (1-800-327-6243), and emergency grants.
RAFI also has a hotline (866-586-6746) and resource list available for farmers.
Carolina Farm Stewardship Association also has a list of resources available to farmers including a list of assistance and emergency funds available along with a list of recovery funding programs for farmers.
Center for Environmental Farming Systems also has a list of resources available to farmers.