North Carolina's small farms face mounting losses after Hurricane Helene as federal disaster relief programs struggle to meet their needs.
Meg Wilcox reports for Civil Eats.
In short:
- Hurricane Helene caused severe damage to small farms in western North Carolina, with many losing crops, infrastructure and topsoil, resulting in costs exceeding $300,000 for some.
- Federal aid programs like USDA's disaster relief and crop insurance often exclude small, diversified farms due to eligibility criteria and complex application processes.
- Local organizations have stepped in with small grants and fundraising, but long-term solutions remain uncertain amid calls for systemic reform in disaster relief policies.
Key quote:
"The most cumbersome aspect with diversified vegetable farming is, it’s hard to fit into the USDA boxes."
— Nicole DelCogliano, Green Toe Ground co-owner
Why this matters:
Small farms play a critical role in local food systems but remain vulnerable to climate-driven disasters. Weak federal support structures threaten their ability to recover, emphasizing the need for more inclusive, streamlined policies to sustain farming communities amid increasing extreme weather events.
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