Farm Disaster Resources

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has several resources available to the agriculture community

• Livestock Indemnity Program
• ELAP – Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program
• Tree Assistance Program
• Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)
• Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)

These programs are in place to help put farms back together following a disaster.  Please look at these.  If you have questions reach out to your Farm Service Agency office.  These programs are going to need extra funding. Consider reaching out to your law makers to let them know what you need.

LOCAL DISTRIBUTION RESOURCES

Many of the distribution sites coordinated by NC Cooperative Extension and NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services are planning to transition from being open every day to being open certain days or only open by appointment.  Visit them and see what their plans are and how to contact them.  Your Cooperative Extension can help you figure out solutions to your needs.  

• To ask for help (supplies, help with fence construction, etc) or offer help, fill out this form.
• If you have an emergency need – Text : FARMAID to: 888777

Here are current collection/distribution sites for AGRICULTURE needs (fencing, feed, hay, etc): 

Alleghany County

1375 US-21 Sparta, NC  —–Call first – 336.957.1213

Ashe County

626 Ashe Central School Jefferson, NC – Call first -336.957.1213

McDowell County Agriculture Center (East Area)
188 Ag Services Drive Marion, NC 28752
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Mills River Research Station (South Area)         
74 Research Drive Mills River, NC 28759
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Mitchell/Avery County Warehouse (Northwest Area)
6880 Linville Falls Highway Newland, NC 28657
Hours: Monday – Friday:  8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Caldwell County Fairgrounds (Northwest Area)
2461 Fairground Rd Lenoir, NC 28645
Hours: Wednesday and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Watauga Ag Collection/Distribution Site

5715 US Hwy 421 S Boone NC 28607

Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 1PM-6PM

*must reserve hay 48 hours in advance* call 828.319-2543

Smokey Mountain Event Center (Haywood Co Fairgrounds)

758 Crabtree Dr., Waynesville, NC

M-F 9AM-5PM ; Deliveries accepted Tuesday & Thursday

Tryon International Indoor Complex

2676 John Shehan Road Mill Spring NC 28756
Hours: 10 a.m. -4 p.m. 

WNC Livestock Center
474 Stock Drive Canton, NC 28716

Beam Farms – Resource Center
Open 24/7 as needed
221 Hogan Road Forest City, NC 28043

ORGANIZATIONS HELPING

• WNC Communities –https://wnccommunities.org/  
  • Financial support for the agriculture community.
  • They now have an online application for farmers to apply for direct funding to rebuild.  Click link below or go to their website.  There will be quick turnaround for funding to go out for farms in need.
• NC State Extension Helene Recovery Resources from Extension.
• Small Business Administration: Every business (any size) within the declared areas, private nonprofit organization, or resident affected by Helene can apply online for assistance.
• Baptist on Mission 
• Samaritans Purse – https://www.samaritanspurse.org/
• Send letters to farmers with encouragement – a great we to get children involved!  A little encouragement goes a long way. https://www.facebook.com/NCFarmBureauAgInTheClassroom
• “WNC Ag Fuel Relief” account at Lutz Petroleum in Spindale, NC. Anyone wishing to donate financially can call Lutz Petroleum (828) 286-3419 and make a payment with a card to the account.
  • Rutherford County Extension will see that the diesel and gas gets to farmers in need of it for generators on wells, coolers, etc. Lutz Petroleum has it as an account, and folks should say they wish to pay to the “WNC Ag Fuel Relief Account”.  Most fuel will go west and north.
• Red Cross – https://www.redcross.org/local/north-carolina/about-us/our-work/hurricane-helene-north-carolina-response.html
• FEMA – https://www.disasterassistance.gov/get-assistance/find-assistance

Other information

N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) has activated its Agriculture Weather Emergency Hotline to connect farmers with resources that can assist with damage and other agricultural emergencies related to Hurricane Helene. The toll-free number is 1-866-645-9403. A live operator will be available on the hotline daily between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. https://ncdisaster.ces.ncsu.edu/