USDA Awards $60.9 Million in Disaster Aid to Virginia Farmers

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced a $60.9 million disaster assistance block grant to help farmers in Virginia recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene. The funding agreement was signed with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and is part of a broader $30 billion disaster relief package authorized under the American Relief Act of 2025.

Virginia is the second state to receive this federal assistance. Last week, Florida was the first to be awarded a disaster block grant. The funds will support recovery efforts by covering losses in infrastructure, timber and plasticulture, as well as market and future economic losses.

“President Trump is making government work faster and better for the people it serves," said Secretary Rollins. "At USDA we saw the devastating impact recent natural disasters had on our nation’s agricultural lands and infrastructure. Together with the Commonwealth of Virginia, we expedited the implementation of this disaster assistance so Virginia’s finest farmers, ranchers and foresters can get back on their feet and continue to nobly feed and clothe our nation and the world."

Governor Glenn Youngkin emphasized the importance of the funding in supporting agricultural communities in Southwest and Southside Virginia that were especially impacted by the hurricane.

"Hurricane Helene left a lasting impact on Virginia's agricultural and forestry communities, especially in Southwest and Southside, destroying crops and livestock, damaging infrastructure and threatening the economic stability of families and small businesses across the region," said Youngkin. "This recovery funding is a critical step in helping Virginians get back on their feet. Through this block grant partnership with USDA, we're ensuring that farmers and forestland owners who haven't received other assistance finally get the direct support they deserve. My administration is committed to standing with our producers and delivering real results for Virginia's rural communities."

Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr added, "This block grant opportunity represents critical, direct support for agricultural and forestry operations that suffered significant losses that were not eligible through other assistance programs. From damaged infrastructure to unharvested crops and unrecoverable timber, these impacts are real, and so is our response. We’re grateful for this federal partnership, which will help ensure Virginia producers can restore operations and remain productive contributors to their communities and the Commonwealth."

The USDA is continuing its rollout of the 2025 disaster assistance programs under the American Relief Act. This includes the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP), Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) and Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP). To date, the USDA has distributed over $1 billion through ELRP and $7.8 billion through ECAP to aid producers affected by drought, wildfire, rising input costs and falling commodity prices.

Additional program details for Virginia farmers will be made available through VDACS. More information about federal disaster assistance programs can be found on the USDA website at fsa.usda.gov.