USDA Announces $38.3 Million Recovery Assistance for South Carolina Farmers

(Washington, D.C., September 30, 2025) – In a significant move to support the agricultural sector, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide over $38.3 million in recovery assistance to South Carolina agricultural producers. This funding comes through a block grant agreement with the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), aimed at helping producers rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Commitment to Farmers

“Farmers and ranchers across the Southeast continue to recover from Hurricane Helene. Our team at USDA is dedicated to working closely with states like South Carolina to deliver immediate relief to those who have faced financial strain through no fault of their own,” stated Secretary Rollins. “President Trump has made it clear that our farmers will not be left behind, urging our team to ensure they receive the necessary resources to maintain the safest, most reliable, and most abundant food supply in the world.”

Acknowledgment from State Officials

South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture, Hugh Weathers, expressed gratitude for the support: “South Carolina’s farmers and forest landowners have tirelessly worked to recover from Helene’s destruction. This funding will bridge important gaps to ensure the sustainability of their businesses. A strong agriculture and forestry sector is vital to our state’s economy and security. We are committed to distributing this funding swiftly.”

Details of the Grant Agreement

The agreement stipulates that SCDA will manage a program covering various aspects, including infrastructure and timber losses, as well as future economic and market losses. This initiative is part of the larger $30 billion disaster assistance relief effort authorized by the American Relief Act, 2025. USDA is collaborating with 14 states, including South Carolina, to tailor block grants to meet the specific disaster recovery needs of each state.

Eligibility and Further Information

The finalized grant agreement will address qualifying losses that other USDA disaster programs do not cover. Producers looking for more information about the program can visit the SCDA’s official channels.

Ongoing Disaster Assistance Programs

USDA continues its commitment to implementing the disaster assistance provisions from the American Relief Act, 2025. On July 10, Secretary Rollins introduced Stage 1 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) to aid producers affected by revenue, quality, or production losses due to weather events in 2023 and 2024. To date, USDA has allocated over $1 billion through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) to assist livestock producers harmed by drought and wildfires. An additional $1 billion in payments is expected for those affected by floods and non-federally managed land wildfires during the same time period. Livestock producers have until October 31, 2025, to apply for assistance under ELRP.

Moreover, USDA has initiated the second phase of the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP), providing over $9 billion to help agricultural producers cope with rising input costs and declining commodity prices. To stay updated on the status of USDA disaster assistance, visit the 2023/2024 Supplemental Disaster Assistance webpage, which is regularly updated and accessible via fsa.usda.gov.

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