Georgia farmers to access $500M in Hurricane Helene relief

Georgia farmers who suffered losses during Hurricane Helene may have access to more than $500 million in grant funds in the coming weeks.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper announced Monday that applications will open March 16 for the Georgia Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program. Applications will remain open for six weeks and close April 27.

“While this relief will not make impacted producers 100% whole, it will go a long way to help farm families get back on their feet after the devastation of Hurricane Helene,” Harper said in a news release. 

Georgia farmers, ranchers and foresters in eligible counties can apply if they have suffered losses in timber, infrastructure, poultry, beef cattle, dairy cattle, milk loss, dairy feed loss, pecans, blueberries, citrus, nursery, plasticulture and bare ground practices, according to the news release. Documentation of losses is required.

“We invested thousands of hours into this process to ensure we brought the maximum amount of funding to Georgia while covering as many commodities and loss types as possible,” Harper said.

Harper announced in September 2025 that Georgia would receive $531,236,000 to provide relief for losses that were not covered under current U.S. Department of Agriculture programs.