USDA Provides $38.3 Million for Hurricane Helene Recovery in South Carolina
USDA awards $38.3M to South Carolina farmers for Hurricane Helene recovery, with SCDA administering aid under disaster relief programs.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved a $38.3 million block grant to help South Carolina agricultural producers recover from losses caused by Hurricane Helene. The agreement, announced September 30, 2025, in Washington, D.C., allows the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) to distribute recovery funding directly to affected producers.
“Farmers and ranchers across the Southeast are still recovering from Hurricane Helene and our team at USDA is working closely with states like South Carolina to quickly provide relief for farmers who have taken a financial hit due to no fault of their own,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “President Trump will not leave our farmers behind, and he has directed me and our team to ensure they have the resources they need to continue to produce the safest, most reliable and most abundant food supply in the world.”
The grant will cover infrastructure and timber losses as well as projected market and economic impacts not addressed by existing USDA disaster programs.
“South Carolina’s farmers and forest landowners have worked tirelessly to recover from Helene’s devastation, and this funding will close crucial gaps to assure a future for their businesses,” said South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. “A strong agriculture and forestry sector is essential to our state’s economy and security, and we’re committed to distributing this funding quickly.”
The assistance is part of the $30 billion disaster relief effort authorized by the American Relief Act of 2025. The USDA is working with 14 states, including South Carolina, to administer recovery programs tailored to local needs.
Additional USDA disaster programs are also in place. In July, USDA launched Stage 1 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) to support producers with crop losses in 2023 and 2024. More than $1 billion in Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments have already been distributed, with another $1 billion expected for producers impacted by floods and wildfires. Applications for ELRP 2023/2023 FW assistance remain open until Oct. 31, 2025.
The agency has also continued payments under the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP), which has provided over $9 billion to help offset higher input costs and lower commodity prices.
More details on eligibility and application information for South Carolina producers will be available through the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and the USDA’s disaster assistance webpage at fsa.usda.gov.
