House Speaker Jon Burns emphasized the critical need for timely federal funding to support farmers and their lenders, especially amid low prices affecting loan repayments.

In South Carolina, legislative leaders opted to include Hurricane Helene relief in their regular budget rather than passing an emergency bill, anticipating swift federal assistance that has yet to materialize.

The cuts to the food aid program have drawn criticism from Georgia U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, who argued that they would harm local farmers and negatively impact nutrition for children.

In December 2024, Congress passed a substantial $100 billion disaster relief package aimed at aiding recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, which caused approximately $78 billion in damages and resulted in 219 fatalities.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that federal disaster relief for farmers affected by Hurricane Helene will be expedited, with funds expected to be distributed before the March 21, 2025 deadline set by Congress.

The hurricane, which struck in late September 2024, led to historic flooding and extensive damage across several states, particularly impacting Georgia and North Carolina, with agricultural losses estimated at $5.5 billion and $4.9 billion, respectively.

The relief bill allocates significant funds, including $21 billion for farmers, $12 billion in grants for community recovery, and $2.2 billion in low-interest loans, alongside $8 billion for road repairs.

In response to the ongoing challenges faced by farmers, Georgia has earmarked $285 million for low-interest loans and timber removal as part of a broader $862 million spending plan related to Hurricane Helene.

North Carolina is negotiating a supplemental relief bill exceeding $500 million, which would be its fourth aid package since the hurricane, primarily addressing crop and timber losses.

Rollins acknowledged the struggles of the agricultural community, particularly due to tariffs, and indicated that assistance for affected farmers would likely be provided.

Farmers in the affected areas are facing significant challenges in planting crops due to delays in aid; for instance, Chris Hopkins, a farmer in Georgia, lost half of his cotton crop and is now relying on emergency funds to cover loans.

Rollins defended the Trump administration's tariff strategies and cuts to a food aid program, which was aimed at purchasing food from local farms but has been canceled as part of a re-evaluation of federal programs.