Resources for Farmers

Disaster Assistance

• Assistance is available for eligible agricultural producers and timber owners who were impacted by Hurricane Helene. The Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant Program will provide direct aid in the 27 localities affected by Hurricane Helene. Aid will be available for qualifying on-farm building structures, roads, bridges, culverts, above ground irrigation, aquaculture infrastructure, plasticulture, timber, economic losses for perennial crops, and market losses. For more complete information including the list of affected areas, qualifying losses, application instructions, and additional details, please visit the Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant Program.
  
  
• For resources on hurricane relief and Hurricane Helene, visit the Virginia Cooperative Extension website.
  
  
• For emergency relief funding, farmers should contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office to see if they are eligible for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). Once you have applied for ECP, contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District.
  See this recovery flowchart for assistance. (Download a printable version with QR code links.)
  
  
• See more information here for USDA Low-Interest Physical Loss Loans.
  
  
• The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board have authorized Soil and Water Conservation District Boards in the counties listed below to provide planting date extensions of up to 14 days for the following cover crop practices: SL-8B, SL-8, SL-8A, SL-8H, SL-8M, NM-7, WFA-CC, and WQ-4. 
  • Bedford, Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe Counties and the independent Cities of Bristol, Covington, Danville, Galax, Norton, and Radford.

Farmer Mental Health Resources

Farming is demanding work, both physically and mentally. Virginia's agricultural producers face a unique set of pressures: fluctuating commodity prices, rising input costs, unpredictable weather, and increasing financial uncertainty. These stressors can take a real toll, and research shows that suicide rates among farmers are significantly higher than in the general working population. Recognizing that, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has compiled the following resources for producers, farm families, and farm employees who may be struggling or looking for support. Reaching out is a sign of strength, and help is available.