The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $38.1 million block-grant agreement with Tennessee on December 12, 2025, to help address eligible Hurricane Helene agricultural and timber losses. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) administers the program and describes approximately $34 million in assistance for qualifying losses in eight Northeast Tennessee counties. Applications closed August 31, 2026; TDA says timely submissions remain under review and verification.
What the $38.1 million announcement means
The $38.1 million figure is the amount USDA’s Farm Service Agency announced for its block-grant agreement with Tennessee. USDA said the state program would address needs including infrastructure and timber losses, future economic losses, and market losses. Tennessee’s announcement described the agreement as covering qualifying agricultural and timber losses not addressed by other USDA disaster programs or insurance. USDA’s December 12, 2025 announcement and TDA’s announcement explain the agreement.
TDA’s later program materials describe approximately $34 million in assistance for its administered program. The agencies’ public materials do not explain the difference between that amount and the $38.1 million grant-agreement figure, so they should not be treated as interchangeable.
Is the application period still open?
No. TDA accepted applications through 5 p.m. Eastern on August 31, 2026, and has disabled the submission links. Completed applications received by the deadline are still going through review and verification. Applicants should monitor the email address and Submittable account associated with the application for requests or updates. See TDA’s current program page for status information.
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In a June 30, 2026 update, TDA said missing documentation and identity verification were recurring barriers to moving applications forward. It also reported that farm-infrastructure damage and timber losses made up the largest share of requests received at that time. Those are dated observations, not final totals or a current breakdown of awards. TDA’s June 30 update provides that snapshot.
Which counties and losses qualify?
The program covers verified losses caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024 in these eight counties:
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- Carter
- Cocke
- Greene
- Hamblen
- Hawkins
- Johnson
- Unicoi
- Washington
TDA lists four claim categories. Requirements differ by category, and the agency’s program guidance has the detailed rules and documentation lists.
| Claim category | What it covers | Key requirements or limits |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure loss | Qualifying farm buildings, on-farm roads, bridges, culverts, and above-ground irrigation damaged by the storm. | Applicants must repair or replace the damaged infrastructure. Equipment buildings, repair shops, moveable equipment, fences, corrals, waterlines, troughs, and well systems are among the listed exclusions. Category-specific minimum loss: $1,000. TDA guidance. |
| Future economic loss | Eligible perennial crops and farmland rehabilitation. | Replanting requirements apply. Annual crops including hay, soybeans, and corn are excluded under the listed rules. Category-specific minimum loss: $1,000. TDA guidance. |
| Market loss | Crops produced by the applicant that spoiled, were discarded, or could not be sold because of storm-related market disruption. | A loss already covered by an FSA Supplemental Disaster Relief Program payment cannot be claimed again as the same loss. Category-specific minimum loss: $1,000. TDA guidance. |
| Timber loss | Moderate or severe storm damage on private forestland. | At least 10 contiguous acres under single ownership are required. Moderate damage means 16%–39% of trees damaged; severe damage means 40% or more. Supporting materials include a 10-year-cycle forest management plan prepared by an accredited forester, the forester’s invoice, at least three damage photographs, and an aerial map. TDA guidance. |
Who could apply, and what proof was required?
Applicants generally needed an ownership share and financial risk in the affected crop or timber. TDA allowed an applicant to be the legal owner or legal lessee of the farmland or forestland at the time of the storm, with documentation of ownership or lease.
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For farm-related claims, applicants had to document commercial agricultural activity during the 12 months before the storm. TDA lists a USDA farm number, Schedule F, or records showing at least $1,000 in agricultural sales during that period as possible evidence. Farm-related losses generally required at least 10 acres of farmland under a single ownership or lease, as well as the applicable $1,000 minimum loss. Timber claims had their separate contiguous-acreage and forester-documentation requirements. TDA’s eligibility guidance explains the claim-specific conditions.
How much could an eligible applicant receive?
TDA says an eligible applicant may be reimbursed for up to 90% of verified losses, subject to available program funding. That is a ceiling, not a guaranteed payment. The current FAQ also sets a $2.5 million cap per application; if requests exceed available funding, TDA may apply a reduction factor or lower the cap. Insurance or other assistance covering the same loss can reduce or eliminate the costs eligible for reimbursement. TDA’s program FAQ describes payment limits and offsets.
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What should applicants know about payment and records?
- Tax treatment: TDA says payments are taxable as normal farm income and that recipients will receive a 1099.
- Supplier registration: Applicants must become suppliers with Tennessee through Edison to receive payment.
- Recordkeeping: Keep program records for at least three years, or until final resolution of audit findings or litigation, whichever is later.
These payment and recordkeeping conditions are listed on TDA’s program page.
Where can timber applicants find a qualified forester?
Because timber claims require an accredited forester’s management plan and supporting documentation, applicants may need to work with a forester familiar with the program requirements. TDA provides a list of accredited foresters on the program page.
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- ✅【Long Lasting 5 year shelf life】: USA made SOS brand food rations and water are US Coast Guard approved, have a 5-year shelf life, space-efficient, great tasting and calorie dense, the food ration bars require no extra water to rehydrate, no reheating, and were developed to be non-thirst inducing.
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