Hurricane Helene Agricultural and Timber Relief Fund Applications Open Through July 21
Jun 08, 2026
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is encouraging eligible agricultural producers and forest landowners impacted by Hurricane Helene to apply for assistance through the Hurricane Helene Agricultural and Timber Relief Fund before the July 21, 2026, deadline. Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. Central Time (5 p.m. Eastern).
Supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the American Relief Act of 2025, the program provides approximately $34 million in financial assistance to help producers recover from losses caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Funding is available for eligible producers and forest landowners in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties.
“We know many farm families and forest landowners are still working through the long recovery process after Hurricane Helene,” Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Andy Holt said. “This relief fund is intended to provide meaningful support as producers rebuild infrastructure, recover losses, and plan for the future. We encourage anyone who may qualify to review the available resources, watch the applicant guidance videos, and reach out to our team with questions. We want to help make the application process as straightforward and accessible as possible.”
The fund is designed to help offset verified agricultural and timber losses, including infrastructure damage, along with market and future economic losses. The goal is to help farm and forestry operations recover, rebuild, and continue contributing to Tennessee’s economy.
This funding aims to restore farm productivity, support forest recovery, and strengthen the long-term resilience of Tennessee’s agricultural economy following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.
TDA recognizes that disaster recovery can be overwhelming, and staff are available to help applicants understand eligibility requirements, gather documentation, and complete the application process. Producers and forest landowners are encouraged not to wait until the deadline to begin preparing materials.
Applicants can find program details, eligibility information, required documentation, FAQs, and the online application portal on the TDA’s Hurricane Helene Agricultural and Timber Relief Fund webpage.
TDA has several applicant assistance videos available for the Hurricane Helene Agricultural and Timber Relief Fund. The videos are posted on the relief fund webpage and walk applicants through eligibility requirements and individual loss categories.
For questions or assistance, contact TDA by emailing Ag.Recovery@tn.gov or calling toll-free (833) 616-6700 or (615) 837-5241. Translation and interpretation services are available free of charge.
Supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the American Relief Act of 2025, the program provides approximately $34 million in financial assistance to help producers recover from losses caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Funding is available for eligible producers and forest landowners in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties.
“We know many farm families and forest landowners are still working through the long recovery process after Hurricane Helene,” Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Andy Holt said. “This relief fund is intended to provide meaningful support as producers rebuild infrastructure, recover losses, and plan for the future. We encourage anyone who may qualify to review the available resources, watch the applicant guidance videos, and reach out to our team with questions. We want to help make the application process as straightforward and accessible as possible.”
The fund is designed to help offset verified agricultural and timber losses, including infrastructure damage, along with market and future economic losses. The goal is to help farm and forestry operations recover, rebuild, and continue contributing to Tennessee’s economy.
This funding aims to restore farm productivity, support forest recovery, and strengthen the long-term resilience of Tennessee’s agricultural economy following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.
TDA recognizes that disaster recovery can be overwhelming, and staff are available to help applicants understand eligibility requirements, gather documentation, and complete the application process. Producers and forest landowners are encouraged not to wait until the deadline to begin preparing materials.
Applicants can find program details, eligibility information, required documentation, FAQs, and the online application portal on the TDA’s Hurricane Helene Agricultural and Timber Relief Fund webpage.
TDA has several applicant assistance videos available for the Hurricane Helene Agricultural and Timber Relief Fund. The videos are posted on the relief fund webpage and walk applicants through eligibility requirements and individual loss categories.
For questions or assistance, contact TDA by emailing Ag.Recovery@tn.gov or calling toll-free (833) 616-6700 or (615) 837-5241. Translation and interpretation services are available free of charge.