Farmers in McDowell County who have experienced agricultural losses due to natural disasters in 2024 now have the opportunity to apply for financial assistance through the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA) Agricultural Disaster Crop Loss Program. This program is designed to support producers who have suffered losses from both Hurricane Helene-related and non-Helene agricultural disasters.
Eligibility and Required DocumentationMcDowell County qualifies for both categories of assistance:
- Helene Ag Losses – Losses directly attributed to Hurricane Helene.
- Non-Helene Ag Losses – Losses from other agricultural disasters occurring in 2024.
- FSA-578 Producer Print for 2024 – This document verifies crop acreage and must be obtained from the Farm Service Agency.
- W-9 Form – Required for tax reporting purposes.
- County-Specific Applications – Farmers operating in multiple counties must submit a separate application for each county in which they farm.
Application Deadline
All applications must be submitted by May 4, 2025. It is crucial for producers to gather the necessary paperwork and apply as soon as possible to ensure they receive the assistance they need. A 45-day extension has been made for "nursery crops, fruit-bearing trees and bushes, and specialty crops where the survival level is not immediately known." This means that the actual deadline to submit is June 18 as long as your growers request an extension.
How to Apply
Producers can visit the NCDA Ag Disaster website for more details and to access the application forms. If you need assistance filling out the online form, please call the office 828-652-8104 to schedule an appointment. We will be happy to assist. If you need broadband access, you are welcome to access broadband in our office.
Why Apply?
The Ag Disaster Crop Loss Program provides vital financial relief to help farmers recover from devastating weather events and maintain the stability of their operations. By taking advantage of this opportunity, producers can offset losses and rebuild for a more secure agricultural future.
For more information or questions about the program, visit the NCDA website or contact the Farm Service Agency or N.C. Cooperative Extension.
