Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced the launch of the Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant Program, a new federal partnership designed to help agricultural and forestry operations recover from Hurricane Helene’s devastation in September 2024.

Program Overview

The program, funded through a USDA block grant authorized by the American Relief Act 2025, targets farmers and forestland owners who sustained damage not covered by other federal disaster assistance programs. The Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (VDACS) will administer direct payments once federal funding is allocated and the state workplan receives USDA approval.

Eligible Areas

The program covers 27 designated localities in Southwest and Southside Virginia, including:

Counties: Bedford, Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe

Independent Cities: Bristol, Covington, Danville, Galax, Norton, and Radford

Required Documentation

Farmers and forestland owners should begin gathering these documents now:

Basic Information:

• W-9 Form
• Federal Tax ID information for all owners/shareholders
• Tax Parcel ID and Parcel Map
• FSA Farm Number and FSA 578 Form
• Schedule F tax documentation showing farming income

Damage Documentation:

• Photos of damaged farm infrastructure (greenhouses, barns, silos, packing houses)
• Photos of damaged commercial aquaculture infrastructure
• Photos of damaged farm roads, bridges, or culverts providing crop/livestock access
• Evidence of destroyed harvested crops or unharvested crops due to market loss
• Documentation of timberland ownership (minimum 10 contiguous acres) with storm damage

Financial Records:

• Insurance adjustment reports and proof of payments
• Invoices for replacement costs or repair estimates
• Documentation of other USDA program applications or payments
• Records of salvage payments or tax deductions from agricultural damage

Important Requirements

Producers receiving funding for market loss, economic loss, plasticulture, and aquaculture claims must maintain USDA Risk Management coverage for two crop years.

Application Process

VDACS is developing an online application portal at https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/about-farm-recovery-block-grant.shtml. The registration and application periods will be announced once the USDA workplan is approved.

Virginia Cooperative Extension agents and Department of Forestry representatives will provide technical assistance and help publicize the program. For those without computer access, local VCE offices will be available during the application window.

Next Steps

Eligible producers should begin collecting required documentation now. VDACS will launch a promotional campaign announcing specific registration and application dates once federal approval is received.

For updates and program details, visit the VDACS website at the link above.