$221 million USDA Disaster Relief Block Grant for North Carolina announced

[littlemissmartypants]

In case you missed it: N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and U.S.Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden signed a $221 million federal block grant agreement yesterday at the NC Mountain State Fair!

This grant will aid North Carolina farmers who
sustained losses and damages from Hurricane Helene in 2024. The program will cover four categories of eligible losses: infrastructure damage, market losses, future economic losses and timber losses.

N.C. Department of Agriculture

Farmers who suffered ag losses in Helene-impacted counties could be eligible

FLETCHER – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden signed a $221 million federal block grant agreement today that targets aid to North Carolina farmers who sustained losses and damages from Hurricane Helene in 2024. The signing took place at the N.C. Mountain State Fair in Fletcher.

The North Carolina Disaster Block Grant for Helene is for production losses not covered by USDA programs or crop insurance. The program will cover four categories of eligible losses: infrastructure damage, market losses, future economic losses and timber losses. It will apply to the 39 counties that received a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Helene.

“This $221 million federal disaster assistance block grant for agricultural damage due to Hurricane Helene is welcomed news to North Carolina farmers in Western North Carolina who have been holding on in the aftermath of massive ag losses in 2024,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “We are grateful for USDA’s continued efforts on this block grant and appreciate their willingness to partner with us on this much needed assistance. We all have an interest in the success of agriculture because farmers produce the food and fiber we all depend on.”

To receive funding, certain producers may have to agree to acquire and maintain USDA Risk Management coverage for a period of two crop years for market loss, future economic loss, plasticulture, and aquaculture claims.
Snip...
https://www.ncagr.gov/news/press-releases/2025/09/05/221-million-usda-disaster-relief-block-grant-north-carolina-announced

[Irish_Dem]

1. How much did the farmers pay Trump for this?

[brakester]

2. They paid

with their blind loyalty.

[blm]

3. Biden had this relief in HIS hurricane bill that Trump canceled.

[littlemissmartypants]

4. This is NC money in the form of a block grant.

https://www.ncagr.gov/agdisaster
On March 19 2025, through The Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part I
(S.L. 2025-2), the North Carolina General Assembly established the
Agricultural Disaster Crop Loss Program, a one-time assistance program
for agricultural producers who suffered verifiable losses from any
declared agricultural disaster in 2024. This includes Hurricane Helene,
drought, Tropical Storm Debby, and Potential Cyclone 8. The General
Assembly appropriated nearly $311 million for the program that will be
administered by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and
Consumer Services. $200 million will be for verifiable losses from
Hurricane Helene in the affected area and about $111 million will be for
verifiable losses from all other agricultural disasters in 2024.

It's probably coming from the rainy day funds.

[littlemissmartypants]

5. The RDF...

How much money is in the NC Rainy day fund?

As of September 2025, the **North Carolina Rainy Day Fund** has a balance of approximately **$3.6 billion**. This amount is notably below its typical level of around **$4.75 billion**, reflecting a decline of about **30%** from its peak, which was nearly **$5 billion**. The fund has not been replenished recently due to ongoing budget negotiations among state lawmakers, which has raised concerns about its adequacy, especially in light of potential natural disasters like hurricanes.