Virginia has started distributing the first payments to farmers and forest landowners affected by Hurricane Helene through the Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant, according to an announcement from Governor Glenn Youngkin. The payments being made this week are for operations that experienced income loss due to market loss. Further payments for other types of losses, such as infrastructure and timber damage, will follow.
Virginia is one of six states to receive block grant funding related to Hurricane Helene from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), but it is the first state in the nation to both accept applications and begin disbursing funds. The program aims to support farmers and timber landowners in eligible Southwest Virginia localities who faced losses not covered by other federal disaster assistance programs.
“We have been committed to assisting our agricultural and forestry communities in Southwest Virginia since Hurricane Helene swept through,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “It is a testament to the hard work of this administration and our partnership with the Trump Administration and Secretary Rollins, the USDA, and the state agencies on the ground, that we are delivering the resources Virginians need. We will continue to stand with our agriculture and forestry producers to help Virginia farms and forestry operations rebuild and recover.”
“President Trump is making government work faster and better for the people it serves. At USDA we saw the devastating impact recent natural disasters had on our nation’s agricultural lands and infrastructure. Together with the Commonwealth of Virginia, we expedited the implementation of this disaster assistance so Virginia’s finest farmers, ranchers, and foresters can get back on their feet and continue to nobly feed and clothe our nation and the world,” said U.S. Secretary Brooke L. Rollins.
The block grant totals $60.9 million in federal funding administered by VDACS (the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services), with assistance from both the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) and Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE). The application window ran from September 22 until November 6, 2025, during which 494 applications were received.
“After the devastation Hurricane Helene brought to our farming and forestry operations in Southwest Virginia, I have been proud to watch our state agencies work together to deliver this much-needed financial relief,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr.“We will continue working tirelessly to support the resiliency of our farmers and timber landowners.”
Eligible areas include 21 counties—such as Bedford, Buchanan, Giles—and six independent cities including Bristol, Danville, Galax, Norton, Covington, Radford.
“Administering the largest block grant in VDACS’ history has been a true team effort, and our team has risen to the occasion with hard work, innovation, and a deep commitment to helping our farmers and timberland owners recover and get back to work,” said VDACS Commissioner Joseph Guthrie.“I want to thank the VDACS team and our partners for the months of dedication needed to get this program off the ground and these essential payments into our producers’ pockets.”
“The Department of Forestry were some of the first responders after Hurricane Helene hit, clearing roads with chainsaws and assisting farmers, foresters, and neighbors as much as we could,” said State Forester Robert Farrell.“It is a proud moment for us to reach this point, where we can deliver financial assistance to those who were impacted and help our communities move forward.”
“The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has been a uniquely difficult time for Southwest Virginia. Virginia Cooperative Extension has stood by our communities throughout, assessing damages, helping our neighbors, and assisting with recovery,” said VCE Associate Director Dan Goerlich.“Our agents have worked tirelessly to help residents understand and access the Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant and it has been a privilege to work with other state agencies with a singular focus on serving the residents of the Commonwealth to help our communities be whole again.”
More details about eligibility criteria or background information about how funds are distributed can be found at https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/about-farm-recovery-block-grant.shtml.
