Research Work to Study the Effects of Hurricane Helene in Tennessee
Jul 07, 2025
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, researchers are now studying the aftermath of the water and sediment left on Tennessee soil.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded the $275,000 grant to the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture to look at the farmers impacted and the agricultural damage.
“This project will address the critical need for assessing and managing flood deposits in four counties in Tennessee where surface waters are used for crop irrigation and where soil quality is crucial for tomatoes, soybean, corn, tobacco and other crops,” prinipcal investigator Eminé Fidan said. “Our work is essential for understanding the immediate challenges and long-term impacts on agroecosystem health and food safety, and for developing strategies that will benefit farmers in future seasons.”
In total, Hurricane Helene did an estimated $1.3 billion in agricultural damage to Tennessee during fall 2024, according to research from the UTIA. That includes crop losses, structures, revenue loss, debris removal, and long-term reclamation.
The research will focus on the hardest-impacted counties, including Cocke, Greene, Unicoi, and Washington. A team will provide local extension agents with information about contaminants in flood deposits and work with local agricultural producers to develop strategies to manage soil health and water quality.
On Aug. 20, the team will report on the initiative and the region’s recovery at a field day coordinated by Bruno Pedreir — UT Extension forage specialist and director of the UT Beef and Forage Center — and David McIntosh, center coordinator and researcher in the UT Department of Plant Sciences.
"Supporting our East Tennessee producers with enhanced engagement in the hurricane-affected areas is our top priority as a team,” McIntosh said. “This initiative is tackling unprecedented challenges, and thanks to the dedication of the entire community, we are finding solutions together like never before.”
The in-person field day will happen in Washington County at the Runion Farm, 269 Bent Road, in Limestone, Tennessee. On-site registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. eastern time, with the program starting at 9 a.m.
A sponsored lunch will be provided. This event is open to the public and is free to attend. Pre-registration is encouraged for planning purposes but not required. To register go online to tiny.utk.edu/Flood.
For more details on UTIA’s flood recovery efforts, please reach out to your local UT/TSU Extension office. To sponsor or attend event as a vendor, please contact David McIntosh at utbeef@tennessee.edu.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded the $275,000 grant to the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture to look at the farmers impacted and the agricultural damage.
“This project will address the critical need for assessing and managing flood deposits in four counties in Tennessee where surface waters are used for crop irrigation and where soil quality is crucial for tomatoes, soybean, corn, tobacco and other crops,” prinipcal investigator Eminé Fidan said. “Our work is essential for understanding the immediate challenges and long-term impacts on agroecosystem health and food safety, and for developing strategies that will benefit farmers in future seasons.”
In total, Hurricane Helene did an estimated $1.3 billion in agricultural damage to Tennessee during fall 2024, according to research from the UTIA. That includes crop losses, structures, revenue loss, debris removal, and long-term reclamation.
The research will focus on the hardest-impacted counties, including Cocke, Greene, Unicoi, and Washington. A team will provide local extension agents with information about contaminants in flood deposits and work with local agricultural producers to develop strategies to manage soil health and water quality.
On Aug. 20, the team will report on the initiative and the region’s recovery at a field day coordinated by Bruno Pedreir — UT Extension forage specialist and director of the UT Beef and Forage Center — and David McIntosh, center coordinator and researcher in the UT Department of Plant Sciences.
"Supporting our East Tennessee producers with enhanced engagement in the hurricane-affected areas is our top priority as a team,” McIntosh said. “This initiative is tackling unprecedented challenges, and thanks to the dedication of the entire community, we are finding solutions together like never before.”
The in-person field day will happen in Washington County at the Runion Farm, 269 Bent Road, in Limestone, Tennessee. On-site registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. eastern time, with the program starting at 9 a.m.
A sponsored lunch will be provided. This event is open to the public and is free to attend. Pre-registration is encouraged for planning purposes but not required. To register go online to tiny.utk.edu/Flood.
For more details on UTIA’s flood recovery efforts, please reach out to your local UT/TSU Extension office. To sponsor or attend event as a vendor, please contact David McIntosh at utbeef@tennessee.edu.