Yesterday, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced that American farmers affected by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can apply for up to $16 billion in relief through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP). Georgia farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene are encouraged to apply for assistance through SDRP. The State of Georgia is also negotiating a block grant agreement to cover losses not addressed by existing USDA disaster programs. This funding is part of the $20 billion allocated by Congress for agricultural relief under the American Rescue Act of 2025.
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper expressed his gratitude: “I’m incredibly grateful to Secretary Rollins and her team at USDA for acting swiftly to make much-needed Hurricane Helene relief funding for Georgia farmers and producers,” said Harper. “While we continue negotiating hard to secure the best possible block grant agreement for Georgia, today’s announcement is welcome news for our state’s #1 industry and Georgia farm families who can now begin applying for relief.”
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will initiate a streamlined application process using data from existing Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) indemnified loss data. Pre-filled applications were mailed on July 9, 2025.
Eligible losses must result from natural disasters occurring in 2023 or 2024, including hurricanes, wildfires, floods, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze events like polar vortexes, smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying droughts, and related conditions. Drought-related losses require specific conditions outlined by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Producers in Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, and Massachusetts are not eligible for SDRP payments as these states opted for separate block grants funded through $220 million provided in the American Relief Act.
To apply for SDRP Stage One payments based on adjusted NAP or Federal crop insurance coverage levels purchased by producers must submit an FSA-526 form along with other necessary documentation on file with FSA.
Stage One payments will not exceed 90% of the loss amount after subtracting net NAP or federal crop insurance payments. An SDRP payment factor of 35% applies to all Stage One payments. If funds remain available after initial disbursements additional payments may be issued.
Recipients of SDRP funds must purchase federal crop insurance or NAP coverage at a minimum level over two subsequent years; failure results in repayment obligations plus interest.
Further assistance details covering non-indemnified shallow losses quality losses will be announced later this fall under SDRP Stage Two.
