Hurricane Helene Agricultural and Timber Relief Fund - COMING SOON

Q: What is the Helene Agricultural and Timber Relief Fund  

A: It is a financial assistance program by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help agriculture and forestry landowners recover from losses from Hurricane Helene (September 26–27, 2024).

Q: When will the program officially open for applications?

A: Now that an agreement with USDA is complete, TDA will submit a workplan with details of the administration of the program to USDA. The application period can only open after that workplan is approved. TDA has 30 days from the agreement date (11/19/2025) to submit that workplan. Approval from USDA on the workplan could take up to 90 days. 

Q: How will I be notified that the application period has started?

A: Information on the application period will be updated on our website.

Q: How do I apply — online, mail, or in person

A: Due to the verification documents needed, we anticipate applications will be online only (though Submittable).

Q:  What happens if I miss the application deadline?

A: We do not anticipate extensions or another round of funding. 

Q: What happens after I submit my application? Will I receive confirmation that my application was received? 

A: The application portal sends an automatic confirmation after submission. If you do not receive that confirmation, contact ag.recovery@tn.gov  

Q: How long does it take to receive a decision? 

A: This answer is pending  

Q: Is there an appeal process if my application is denied? 

A: No  

Q: Will payments be made in one lump sum or in installments? 

A: Lump sum  

Q: Is there a minimum acreage required to qualify? 

A: 10 acres  

Q: Is there a maximum acreage limit?

A: No 

Q: How much assistance could I receive? 

A: Assistance will depend on funding availability and applications received. Payments will be capped at 90% of your reported loss. If you’ve received previous Hurricane Helene federal funding, total dollars received will be deducted from this allocated. 

Q: May I participate in this program if I’ve already participated in past federal relief grants? 

A: Yes. But only if past participation in a federal program did not meet the 90% cap of losses. You may also apply for state programs unrelated to Hurricane Helene relief. 

Q: Are payments considered taxable income?

A: Yes. You will receive an IRS form 1099 at the end of the year.

Q: Will I need to provide documentation that substantiates my claim?

A: Yes. You will need those when submitting the application.

Q: What counties are covered? 

A: Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties.

Q: How much damage is required to qualify? 

A: Minimum of $1000 of verified damage. For timberland, a minimum of 15% of acres was affected. 

Q: Will insurance or salvage sales affect my payment? 

A: Yes. Assistance is only for losses not covered by insurance, salvage proceeds, or other aid.

Q: What documents are needed to prove ownership or lease? 

A: Deed, title, or other legal proof. Businesses or trusts must provide authorization documents.

Q: How long do I have to apply?

A: Once the program is announced, eligible landowners have 90 days to apply.

Q: Can I participate in other programs at the same time?

A: You may participate in other federally-funded programs, but combined federal assistance may not exceed 90% of your loss. State assistance programs do not affect federal program eligibility.

Q: What type of land qualifies?

A: Land must be forested or timberland and primarily used for timber production, conservation, or other forestry purposes.

Q: Is there a minimum acreage requirement? 

A: Yes, at least 10 contiguous acres under single ownership.

Q: What verification will TDA require?

A: A professional forester must provide:

• Maps and photos of damage
• A loss calculation aligned with the Division of Forestry formula
• TDA may also verify using site visits, aerial photos, or drones.

Q: Do I need to follow any forestry guidelines?

A: Yes, applicants must follow state Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs).

Q: Do I need additional documentation?

A: Yes including:

• A damage assessment report by a consulting forester
• A map of the affected area
• A Forest Management Plan dated October 2024 or later

Q: What factors determine my payment amount?

A: Payment is based on:

• Timber type (hardwood or softwood)
• Site quality
• Average tons per acre
• Stumpage value
• Damage category (Moderate or Severe)

Q: Who determines the damage category?

A: A professional forester classifies damage using the state’s visual estimation guidelines.

Q: What are the damage category definitions?

• Moderate (15–39%): Some visible damage; majority of trees intact
• Severe (40% or greater): Widespread damage; half or more affected

Q: Are damaged streambanks covered?

A: Yes, if the streambank is in a forested area. The program does not fund conversion of non-forested land into forest.

Q: What are the steps in the application process?

• Confirm eligibility
• Gather ownership and insurance documentation
• Hire a professional forester
• Forester conducts loss calculation
• Forester prepares a 10-year management plan (unless the landowner already has one prepared in October 2024 or later)
• Submit application and documentation within 90 days of program announcement
  

Q: What if only a portion of my land was damaged?

A: You may still qualify. Payments are based on the verified damage within eligible areas. How much flexibility do I have in using the recovery funds? Funds may be used for approved recovery purposes, including: debris removal, rebuilding infrastructure, replanting crops, restoring irrigation. Expenses must align with eligible loss categories in program guidelines.

Q: Do I need to maintain receipts or proof of how funds were used?

A: Yes, recipients must keep receipts, invoices, or proof of expenditures. TDA may request documentation for audit or compliance checks.

Q: Are there resources for soil, sediment, or debris contamination?

A: Other federal and state programs may support environmental recovery. Producers can contact their county USDA Farm Service Agency or UT Extension Office.

Q: If streambanks or waterways were damaged, are they covered?

A: Yes, if damage directly affects agricultural production or farm access. Recreational or decorative water features are not eligible.

Q: What are the agricultural damage category definitions?

Eligible losses include:

• Infrastructure Loss (buildings, equipment, roads, culverts, irrigation)
• Future Economic Loss (perennial crop recovery)
• Market Loss (lost sales due to market disruption)

Q: Who determines the agricultural damage category?
A: A qualified reviewer using TDA criteria and submitted documentation.

• Deed, title, sale, or lease agreement
• Parcel maps showing property boundaries and acreage (available from local property assessor or UT Extension can assist.)
• Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm number(s) and Form 578
• Agricultural or forestry property tax classification documents (2023 or 2024)

Why: These establish eligibility and acreage verification for minimum loss thresholds (10 contiguous acres per ownership/lease).
 

• Schedule F (Form 1040) or other tax documentation showing at least $1,000 in agricultural sales in the 12 months prior to the storm
• Other records of farm activity (e.g., invoices for seed, fertilizer, or produce sales)

Why: TDA must verify that the applicant was an operating producer at the time of the storm.
 

For Infrastructure Losses

• Photographs (3–5 per structure) showing damage to barns, hoop houses, cold storage, silos, roads, culverts, bridges, or irrigation systems
• Invoices or receipts for construction, repair, or replacement
• Insurance adjustment reports or proof of insurance claims/payments

For Market Losses

• Photos of destroyed or unsold crops
• Invoices, contracts, or buyer correspondence showing cancelled sales
• Documentation of lost markets due to weather or access issues

For Future Economic Losses

• Photos of damaged perennial crops (orchards, vineyards)
• Crop yield and planting records for affected years

For Timber Losses

• Forest management plan (10-year) authored by a professional forester
• Photographs documenting timber damage
• Acreage maps and damage estimates based on the Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) protocol

Why: Evidence of loss is required for all claim types, and foresters’ documentation is mandatory for timber claims
 

• W-9 form (for payment processing and Edison Supplier setup)
• Federal Form 4684 (Casualty Loss) if completed previously
• Proof of any insurance or USDA payments related to the same damages (e.g., SDRP, EQIP, or NAP)
• Disclosure of other aid sources (federal, state, or private)

Why: This ensures that payments under the Relief Fund are not duplicated and can be processed efficiently.
 

If applying for Future Economic or Market Loss categories:

• Be ready to purchase Federal Crop Insurance or NAP coverage for 2026 and 2027 (as required by USDA linkage rules).
• Confirm with your local FSA office about NAP eligibility or Whole Farm Revenue Protection options.

Replanting and Future Production Requirements

• Applicants must replant or demonstrate clear intent to replant to remain eligible.
• Applicants must document one of the following: Proof of replanting or justification for inability to replant (e.g., land no longer viable, prolonged inability to obtain crops or planting materials).
• Certification and compliance verification related to replanting and future production will be required as part of the application.
• Producers who do not intend to return to full production are not eligible for Future Economic Loss assistance.
• Relocation to reestablish operations may qualify if linkage to future production is maintained.
• Relocation by choice (not driven by necessity related to loss) does not meet linkage requirements.

Why: Applicants must agree to linkage terms as a condition of receiving payments.