Georgia citrus growers, nurseries and numerous other agriculturists in eligible counties who suffered losses due to 2024’s Hurricane Helene may apply for assistance through the Georgia Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program beginning March 16. The application period will remain open until midnight on April 27. The application, eligibility requirements, guidance documents and additional details are available here.
In September 2025, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced Georgia will receive $531,236,000 to provide relief for commodities and losses that are not covered under pre-existing USDA programs.
“While this relief will not make impacted producers 100% whole, it will go a long way to help farm families get back on their feet after the devastation of Hurricane Helene,” Harper said. “We invested thousands of hours into this process to ensure we brought the maximum amount of funding to Georgia while covering as many commodities and loss types as possible.”
In general, citrus losses are for future production losses due to destroyed trees. Nursery losses cover future production losses due to destruction of nursery crops. Minimum loss requirements apply.
See the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Summary of Application Questions & Required Documentation for citrus trees. The first question on that document is, “Did you suffer at least a 5% production loss?” Along with much other information, the document tells how to find the latitude and longitude of parcels suffering a loss.
Agriculturists suffering losses to timber, infrastructure, poultry, beef cattle, dairy cattle, milk, dairy feed, pecans, blueberries, plasticulture and bare ground practices may also apply for the assistance.
Helene moved through Georgia on Sept. 26–27, 2024, impacting citrus production in the southeastern area of the state. Preliminary estimates were that the state’s citrus industry was dealt a 40% loss, amounting to $12 million.
Source: Georgia Department of Agriculture
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