Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Launch of Virginia and USDA Block Grant Program to Aid Farms and Forests Impacted by Hurricane Helene

Governor Glenn Youngkin announces a Virginia and USDA block grant program to aid farmers and forestland owners who sustained damage or certain commodity loss due to Hurricane Helene. Members of these communities are encouraged to prepare for the registration and application periods of the new Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant Program. 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing block-grant funding to support this new recovery program, as authorized by the American Relief Act, 2025 (HR 10545 – 118th), to aid in recovery from damages caused by the remnants of Hurricane Helene, which struck Virginia in September of 2024. The Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (VDACS) will administer the Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant Program to provide direct payment to eligible producers once federal funding is allocated to the state and once a state workplan is approved by USDA. 

The block-grant funding is intended to assist farmers and timber landowners and producers with certain losses that are not covered by other federal disaster assistance programs. VDACS is currently working with USDA on a workplan to administer the funds, as well as developing an online application portal that will be available at https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/about-farm-recovery-block-grant.shtml.