U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff urged Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to expedite hurricane relief for Georgia farmers affected by Hurricane Helene. During a U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, Sen. Ossoff highlighted the urgent need for disaster funds to reach struggling farmers in the state.
Sen. Ossoff shared the experiences of farmers impacted by the storm. Arren Moses, owner of Moses Pecan in Uvalda, Georgia, reported losing almost his entire 2024 pecan crop. "We lost the majority of our mature pecan trees, which will set our farm's production back for years. We were thankful that Congress approved disaster assistance funding at the end of last year, but it's critical that these funds get to those who need help," Moses told Ossoff's office.
Chris Hopkins, a cotton producer in Toombs County, described how the storm created severe financial challenges, reducing crop yields and increasing cleanup costs. "It has become untenable for a first-generation operation like mine," Hopkins explained.
In response, Secretary Rollins assured Sen. Ossoff that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would make Hurricane Helene disaster funding available "by the end of the month, hopefully in the next week." She emphasized that the USDA is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to getting funds to farmers as quickly as possible.
Sen. Ossoff's call for expedited relief follows his successful effort last December to secure a bipartisan disaster relief package that included $21 billion in agricultural disaster funding. The package was designed to support farmers in Georgia and across the United States recovering from natural disasters, including Hurricane Helene.
During the hearing, Sen. Ossoff pressed Secretary Rollins for clear timelines on when Georgia farmers could expect to access the relief funds. Rollins explained that USDA had already begun disbursing emergency funds in some areas and that the disaster relief portal would open soon. She acknowledged the need for a rapid response and pledged continued coordination with state agricultural officials to ensure funds reach those in need.
Sen. Ossoff reiterated the urgency of providing relief, emphasizing that time is of the essence for Georgia's farmers. The senator remains committed to ensuring that federal disaster funds reach the affected communities without delay.
For more information:
Senator Jon Ossoff
Tel: +1 470 786 7800
www.ossoff.senate.gov