March 27, 2025 

The Honorable Brooke Rollins  
Secretary, US Department of Agriculture  
1400 Independence Ave., SW  
Washington, DC 20250 

Re: Allocation of USDA block grant funds to North Carolina from the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2025 

Dear Secretary Rollins,  

Today is the six-month anniversary of Hurricane Helene. We are writing on behalf of farmers in western North Carolina to thank you for your recent visit. As you saw, the storm caused severe damage to our agricultural infrastructure, crops, and livestock, leaving many farms in urgent need of financial assistance to recover and continue their operations. 

As you know, agriculture plays a crucial role in the region’s economy, and the farmers of western North Carolina have always demonstrated resilience. However, Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic impact has left them in a difficult position, with staggering losses they will not recoup without external assistance. 

We are grateful for the assistance that your agency has provided to our state. Disaster programs through the Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service provide an invaluable safety net for our farms. As these programs begin to disburse funds, farmers will be able to start getting back on track. We are also happy to report that North Carolina has allocated state funding for a disaster program to support our farmers. These programs are a step in the right direction, but they will not adequately cover the massive losses Hurricane Helene caused.   

Considering these needs, we are respectfully requesting that the United States Department of Agriculture quickly approve a block grant to support the recovery efforts of farmers in Western North Carolina utilizing funds appropriated in the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2025. We are aware that discussions have taken place between your Department and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on this topic. We support these efforts, and the timely approval of funds will be critical to ensuring that our farmers can return to sustainable production levels as quickly as possible. Your support will have a ripple effect on our local economy, preserving jobs, supporting local businesses, and maintaining the continued operation of farms in the region.  

Thank you for considering this urgent request. We are confident that, with your support, the farmers of western North Carolina can overcome these challenges.  

Thank you for your attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, 

Josh Stein
Governor 

Steven W. Troxler 
Commissioner 

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