Resources for Farmers, Ranchers and Farmworkers Affected by Hurricane Helene

Blog| October 3, 2024

Resources for Farmers, Ranchers and Farmworkers Affected by Hurricane Helene

Resources for Farmers

The destruction that Hurricane Helene left in her 800 mile wake is horrific. Agricultural producers in affected areas have had their farms, livestock, homes and livelihoods swept away, and many lack any form of safety net to soften the blow. If you have been affected by this tragedy, please know that all of us here at Farm Aid are grieving with you. While it's heartening to witness the extraordinary stories of support already emerging from affected communities, we recognize the road to recovery will be laborious and rocky, and continued support will be key to long term recovery.

It's not unusual to feel blindsided and overwhelmed during the months or even years following a disaster of this magnitude. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, short tempered, impatient, angry, or just plain sad, these resources might prove useful:

• Dealing with Stress After a Crisis or Natural Disaster from North Dakota State University Extension offers insight into recognizing signs of stress and stress management tips related to disasters.
• Modern Farmer's When Natural Disasters Strike the Farm, the Effects Linger provides a glimpse into the long-term nature of recovery.
• Down on the Farm: When Disaster Hits - 26-minute webinar from OSU Extension on supporting farmer mental well-being after a disaster. Includes very clear steps for providing mental health first aid to those impacted.
• The SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline is available 24/7 "to all residents in the U.S.and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters."
• The Southern Agricultural Exchange Network (SAgE) works with agricultural producers in all states affected by the storm. "If you are going through a challenging time, experiencing high levels of stress, anxiety, or depression - please reach out to us! We are here to listen and connect you with resources that may be a benefit to you or your loved one. Farming is a stressful occupation, but we need you now more than ever. YOU are your most valuable asset on the farm."
• Search our Farmer Resource Network for your state under the category "Farm Stress" or call our Farm Aid Hotline at 1-800-FARM-AID to be connected with resources in your area.

Because the psychological impacts can be considerable, counseling is often a wise step to consider once the disaster is over, especially for farmers and ranchers who see their livelihoods disappear in an instant. As Scott Cotton of the Extension Disaster Education Network observes, "We have producers who go out of business, not because they can't refinance things, just because the emotional toll is so high from one or two events that they can't handle it". Problem solving with a qualified partner can equip you with the tools to juggle additional responsibilities and maintain vibrant relationships with your friends and family as you revive your farm. If you're interested, search the counseling program resources for your state and/or affected region in the listings below for available programs.

As you begin the recovery process, a few critical steps will prepare you to fully benefit from your insurance claims and USDA disaster assistance programs as they come online. Rural Advancement Foundation International's (RAFI) Disaster Recovery Resources Guide describes the most important considerations in detail. A key takeaway is to be sure to document all damage and losses with photos, videos and notes before any clearing or cleaning begins.

The resources listed below will hopefully further ease the process of recovery. They're categorized by general, farmer and farmworker resources for each state as available, and the affected region as a whole. Be sure to return to this page often as further support programs continue to come online.

Resources for Farmers Affected by Hurricane Helene

View the resources below, or click here to view this on Google Sheets.

We work to keep this page up-to-date. If you know of additional resources you can share with us, please email [email protected] or call our hotline at 1-800-FARM-AID.

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