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Hurricane Helene Resources

Please see below for a list of resources for farmers to help rebuild and recover. Please share with the Georgia farmers in your life.

 


Weathered But Strong Hurricane Relief Fund

Georgia Farm Bureau is partnering with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and 40 other agriculture organizations in the state to provide a relief fund for farmers affected by Hurricane Helene. Applications will be available beginning November 15, 2024. Please visit www.SupportGeorgiaFarmers.org for more information.

 


 

Quick Links: Important Resource and Information Centers

Below are some helpful resources for farmers recovering after Hurricane Helene. Let us know if we’re missing one.

 


 

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance Available for Hurricane Helene Recovery

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)

  • Extended ECP and EFRP signup that begins Oct. 15, 2024, and runs through June 1, 2025, in states affected by Hurricane Helene.

  • Waiver of onsite inspection requirement for non-engineering practices for ECP and EFRP. 

  • Executed Emergency Response (ER-850) authorization of emergency National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) circumstances to expedite FSA approval of practices involving surface debris removal, fence restoration, and non-ground disturbing activities. 

     

Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)

Guidance to FSA County Committees and local staff to exercise maximum flexibility in determining acceptable loss documentation and to ensure LIP applications are acted on timely. 

 

Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP):  

  • Assistance to help cover above normal costs to transport livestock to feed and/or transport feed/forage to livestock in hurricane-impacted states. 

  • Assistance to help cover above normal costs to haul water to livestock in hurricane-impacted states. 

 

Tree Assistance Program (TAP):  

Extension of TAP assistance to trees/bushes/vines that have not died but are no longer capable of production (not economically viable).

 

Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)

  • Waiver of 72-hour notification requirement on hand harvested crops. 

  • Extended deadline to file a Notice of Loss with FSA. 

  • Flexibility for FSA staff to perform loss adjustment activities and/or waive field inspections in cases where the cause of loss can be verified through other means. 

 

Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL):  

  • Additional time for producers to deliver commodities to a buyer to repay MALs with sale proceeds.

  • Postponement of MAL foreclosure letters applicable to losses or damages due to hurricanes for up to 90 calendar days.

 


 

Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency - Major Disaster Declaration for Individual and Public Assistance

The Major Disaster Declaration provides Individual Assistance and Public Assistance to Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Pierce, Rabun, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Washington, Wayne and Wheeler Counties. 

The Declaration also provides Individual Assistance only to: Butts, Dodge, Elbert, Fulton, Hancock, McIntosh, Newton, Rabun, Thomas and Warren Counties, as well as Public Assistance only to Mitchell, Pulaski, Twiggs, Wilcox, Wilkinson and Worth Counties.

Individual Assistance may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, immediate housing and food needs, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene. 

Public Assistance can fund debris removal and emergency work on a public facility and may assist with funding for permanently restoring community infrastructure affected by a federally declared incident.

 


 

Mental Health Resources

The devastation left by Hurricane Helene has intensified an ongoing mental health crisis in rural communities, where stress weighs heavier than ever. Many are struggling to cope and worried for their friends and neighbors. Please take note of the following resources for farmers who are struggling with mental health, courtesy of AFBF's Farm State of Mind initiative. Whether you’re struggling yourself or you are worried about a friend or family member, please remember you’re not alone and help is available. Even if you don’t feel comfortable reaching out to a professional, please reach out to a friend.

 

988 Farm Stress Resource Page

If you are in crisis right now, please call or text 988, or visit the 988 Farm Stress Resource Center. The resource center offers valuable resources and support to help farmers and their communities cope with these challenges, fostering resilience and promoting mental health within the agricultural sector. You can also find information on the various factors contributing to farm stress, from financial uncertainties and unpredictable weather patterns to the isolation of rural life.

 

Togetherall Online Peer-to-Peer Support

Reaching out for support is a proactive step you can take on your journey. We're all in this together and supporting each other through difficult times is what makes us stronger.  This service is offered free-of-charge for farm families age 16+ thanks to the Farm Family Wellness Alliance

Sign Up for Togetherall

Togetherall is an anonymous peer-to-peer online community that empowers farmers and their families to get and give support. Signing up is easy and anonymous, ensuring your privacy and confidentiality throughout your journey. 

  • Supportive Community: Using an anonymous profile, connect and share in a safe space with others who understand. Join the Agricultural Group!

  • Immediate Access: Whatever’s on your mind, you can access Togetherall in minutes, 24/7.

  • Wellbeing Tools: To better understand what you're going through, access self-help resources, or explore well-being tools like guided courses and assessments.

  • External Resources: Personal wellbeing and life event support services are available through Personal Assistance Services (PAS) and accessible through Togetherall. These services include family and individual counseling provided by agriculturally competent rural mental health professionals. Watch to learn more. 

 

Coping with Stress and Anxiety

During challenging times, having tools to handle and manage high levels of stress is essential. Give these techniques a try to reduce stress and maintain your health.

  • Connect with others.
  • Take breaks from negative news or influences.
  • Prioritize your health and well-being.
  • Take time to unwind.
  • Recognize when you need more help.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information.

 

Know the Warning Signs

When loved ones, neighbors or others you care about are experiencing mental health challenges, they may not even realize it. Here’s how you can identify someone who may be at risk.

  • Change in routines or social activities
  • Decline in the care of domestic animals
  • Increase in illness or other chronic conditions
  • Increase in farm accidents
  • Decline in appearance of the farmstead
  • Decreased interest in activities or events
  • Signs of stress in children including struggles with school

Learn more about recognizing the signs of chronic stress, depression or suicidal intent and what you can do to help at NY FarmNet.

 

How Can I Help?

  • Ask.
  • Be there.
  • Stay connected.
  • Keep them safe.
  • Help them connect.

Visit the National Institute of Mental Health website for more information.

 

For more mental health resources for farm families, please check out AFBF's Farm State of Mind resource page.

 


 

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