State Agriculture Officials Tour Storm-Damaged Areas, Reaffirm Support for Recovery

NASHVILLE — Leaders from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture traveled to upper East Tennessee this week to witness firsthand the cleanup efforts underway and identify remaining needs following the devastation of Tropical Storm Helene.

Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M., Deputy Commissioner Andy Holt, and State Forester Heather Slayton were joined by State Representatives Renea Jones and Rebecca Alexander in Unicoi and Washington Counties.

The visit underscored the state’s commitment to supporting farmers and forest landowners as they continue to recover and rebuild from the storm, which hit the region in September 2024.

“We’re dedicated to helping our agricultural community repair the damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene and restore their operations,” Hatcher said. “Seeing the damage and hearing from those affected helps us understand the full scope of their needs. We’re also actively pursuing additional federal funding to ensure no one is left behind in this recovery.”

TDA has petitioned USDA’s Farm Service Agency for a block grant to cover losses caused by Tropical Storm Helene. TDA is working with state and federal partners on solutions for losses not covered by insurance or aid programs.

In Unicoi County, they visited Miller Farm, Hilemon Ranch, Willis Family Farm, Lipman Family Farms, and Shelton-Rice Forest. In Washington County, they visited Scott’s Strawberry and Tomato Farm and Chris Renfro’s farm.

Hurricane Helene's economic impact to Tennessee farmers and forestland owners is now estimated at $547 million to $1.8 billion. This includes farm and residential structure losses, fencing and non-building infrastructure losses, direct and indirect losses, debris and damaged structure removal, and long-term reclamation across more than 150,000 acres in Carter, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington Counties.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry estimates a loss of 74,238 cubic feet of timber valued at $59,902,544.

The state of Tennessee has taken a multi-pronged approach to help the recovery efforts. Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency created the Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund, a $100 million initiative to provide flexible financial assistance for current and future unmet disaster recovery needs, including those caused by Tropical Storm Helene. Recipients of the first round of funding will be notified in July.

UTIA is hosting a free field day for farmers, producers, and citizens who need strategies and solutions for recovery. The event is Aug. 20, 2025 at Runion Farm, 269 Bent Road in Limestone, Tenn. For more information on UTIA’s Report on Flood Recovery Initiative and field day, visit utianews.tennessee.edu/ut-institute-of-agriculture-to-report-on-flood-recovery-initiative/.

Pictured with Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher is Doug Bowman, Miller Farm in Unicoi County, Tenn.