Hurricane Helene Agricultural and Timber Relief Fund Application Deadline Extended to Aug. 31
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) has extended the application deadline for the Hurricane Helene Agricultural and Timber Relief Fund to Aug. 31, 2026 at 4 p.m. CT (5 p.m. ET), providing additional time for eligible agricultural producers and forest landowners to apply for assistance.
The federally funded program provides approximately $34 million in financial assistance to help eligible producers recover from losses caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Funding is available to qualified applicants in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington counties.
To help applicants complete and submit successful applications, TDA staff will travel throughout Upper East Tennessee in July. Teams will partner with University of Tennessee Extension specialists to visit affected counties and provide technical assistance, answer questions and help producers navigate application requirements.
"Recovery from Hurricane Helene remains a priority for Tennessee agriculture, and we're encouraged by the response to this program so far," Agriculture Commissioner Andy Holt said. "Extending the deadline and bringing application assistance directly into local communities will help ensure every eligible producer and forest landowner has the opportunity to access these funds."
Since applications opened in April, TDA has received requests representing a wide range of agricultural and forestry losses. Damage to farm infrastructure, including on-farm roads, on-farm bridges, and agricultural structures, along with timber losses, account for the largest share of requests submitted to date.
In reviewing applications and supporting producers, TDA has identified several recurring challenges. Missing documentation and identity verification remain the primary obstacles preventing applications from moving forward, rather than delays in the review process. TDA encourages applicants to carefully review application instructions and submit all required supporting materials.
TDA has also identified a need for additional support for timber loss applicants. Forest landowners are required to work with an accredited forester to document losses and complete forestry-related requirements. To help forest landowners find a qualified professional, TDA offers a list of accredited foresters on the Hurricane Helene Agricultural and Timber Relief Fund webpage.
Eligible producers and forest landowners who have not yet applied are encouraged to begin the application process as soon as possible and take advantage of upcoming in-person assistance opportunities.
On-site visits will take place in July across all eight impacted counties. RSVPs are encouraged, and there is no cost to attend. All times listed are Eastern time.
· July 6 – 6:30 p.m. — Washington County, Washington County Farm Bureau, 1103 Boones Creek Rd., Jonesborough, TN 37659
· July 7 – 1 p.m. — Unicoi County, Unicoi County Courthouse Conference Room, 100 Main Ave., Erwin, TN 37650
· July 7 – 6:30 p.m. — Hamblen County, Talley Ward Recreation Center, 324 S. James St., Morristown, TN 37813
· July 8 – 1 p.m. — Greene County, Greene County UT‑TSU Extension Office, 303 Takoma Ave., Greeneville, TN 37743
· July 27 – 1 p.m. — Johnson County, Johnson County Farm Bureau, 642 S. Shady St., Mountain City, TN 37683
· July 27 – 6:30 p.m. — Carter County, Carter County Farm Bureau, 301 N. Lynn Ave., Elizabethton, TN 37643
· July 28 – 1 p.m. — Hawkins County, Hawkins County UT‑TSU Extension Office, 3815 Hwy 66, Suite 6, Rogersville, TN 37857
· July 28 – 6:30 p.m. — Cocke County, Cocke County UT‑TSU Extension Office, 141 Western Plaza Way, Newport, TN 37821
Details about county assistance schedules, eligibility requirements and application materials are available on the Hurricane Helene Agricultural and Timber Relief Fund webpage.
Translation and interpretation services for this press release are available free of charge. Please contact Kim.Doddridge@tn.gov.