Virginia receives $60.9M USDA grant for hurricane Helene recovery

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is granting $60.9 million in disaster relief funding to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to help mitigate the effects of hurricane Helene on the state’s agricultural and forestry sectors.

After Florida, Virginia is the second state to receive a USDA grant under the American Relief Act of 2025. The funding will support recovery from infrastructure, timber, and plasticulture losses, as well as market and future economic losses.

The block grant is part of a broader $30 billion federal disaster assistance effort, which the USDA will use in coordination with 14 states to tailor recovery programs.

"Hurricane Helene left a lasting impact on Virginia's agricultural and forestry communities, destroying crops and livestock, damaging infrastructure, and threatening the economic stability of families and small businesses across the region,” said Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This recovery funding is a critical step in helping Virginians get back on their feet. Through this block grant partnership with USDA, we're ensuring that farmers and forestland owners who haven't received other assistance finally get the direct support they deserve.”

The finalized grant agreement between USDA, VDACS, and Governor Youngkin’s office will provide support for producers with qualifying losses not covered by other USDA disaster programs. Program details will be made available through VDACS.

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