From the April edition of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services monthly newsletter the Agricultural Review:

The application period is expected to open in early April for the $311 million Ag disaster program recently approved by N.C. lawmakers. The program focuses on crop loss.

“I want to thank the members of the legislature for approving the start of an Ag disaster assistance program to help farmers statewide recover from the disastrous 2024 farm season in North Carolina. And, I thank the governor for quickly signing this important bill,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

The funds were allocated as part of a $524 million spending package outlined in House Bill 47, which was signed into law by Gov. Josh Stein on March 19.

The 2024 Agricultural Disaster Crop Loss Program will be established by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to administer the funds. $200 million is dedicated for farmers in Western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene, and $111 million is set aside for farmers impacted by other agricultural disasters in 2024 in the rest of the state.

“I am especially grateful for the timing of this assistance because it will help farmers be able to put crops in the ground this season, something that many farmers were not sure could happen,” Troxler said.

Immediately after the law was passed, the department began putting together the framework for the program.

The program is anticipated to closely mirror the 2018 program established with relief funding for Hurricane Florence and other tropical storms.

Farmers seeking financial assistance for commodity loss will need to submit a Form 578, which is on file with the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Because the bill specifies a 45-day window for reporting, farmers will need to get their materials together and apply for assistance quickly.

More information about the program and application process will be posted to the department’s main webpage, www.ncagr.gov.

“We will continue to work with the legislature on additional needs, as the bill noted the intent to consider more ag disaster assistance in the future. We are also seeking funding through a federal block grant through USDA,” Troxler said.