N.C. Farmers Receiving Assistance for Last Year’s Flood Damage Claims

North Carolina farmers who suffered flooding losses from last year’s hurricanes will soon receive disaster-assistance grants from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The checks issued to date will help farmers with the cost of removing debris from farmland, repairing fences and conservation structures, and restoring damaged farmland. The assistance is going to farmers who received aid through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Conservation Program.

“Because these losses had been verified during the federal relief process, we were able to start sending out checks,” Steve Troxler, Agriculture Commissioner said. “This is just the beginning. We are still working to verify damages to crops, structures and farm equipment, and we will issue checks for those losses in the coming months.”

The General Assembly earmarked $11.7 million for agriculture-related losses as part of the state’s overall hurricane-relief effort, known as Operation Brighter Day. Fifty counties are eligible for assistance under the program.