NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has opened applications for the Hurricane Helene Agricultural and Timber Relief Fund for eligible farmers and forest landowners in northeast Tennessee.

The block grant funding is supported by the USDA through the American Relief Act of 2025 and will provide approximately $34 million in financial assistance to eligible agricultural producers and forest landowners who experienced losses due to Hurricane Helene.

“Hurricane Helene was an unprecedented natural disaster for our state and placed a heavy burden on Tennessee’s rural agricultural and forestry communities,” Gov. Bill Lee said. “We’re grateful for strong partnerships with USDA and TDA that will allow us to deliver resources to help producers recover losses, rebuild operations and continue driving our state’s agricultural economy forward.”

Agriculture Commissioner Andy Holt said, “This funding aims to restore farm productivity, support forest recovery and strengthen the long-term resilience of Tennessee’s agricultural economy following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. “We encourage (eligible producers and forest landowners) to take advantage of the resources TDA is providing to help them apply.”

The Hurricane Helene Agricultural and Timber Relief Fund is designed to offset a portion of verified losses for eligible agricultural producers or forest landowners who operate in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi or Washington counties.

Applications will be open for 90 days, with a deadline of July 21 at 5 p.m. Eastern (4 p.m. Central).

An informational webinar is scheduled for April 28 at noon Eastern (11 a.m. Central) to provide program details, eligibility requirements and guidance on the application process.

For questions, email Ag.Recovery@tn.gov or call toll-free at 833-616-6700 or locally at 615-837-5241.