The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $340.6 million in disaster assistance to support farmers, ranchers, and rural communities affected by recent natural disasters across the country. The funding, part of the USDA Disaster Assistance Fund, aims to accelerate relief efforts and rebuild critical infrastructure.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins made the announcement in North Dakota, where more than $5 million will go toward rebuilding electric infrastructure damaged by storms and wildfires. Additional funding includes $25 million for relief in North Carolina and $18 million for Tennessee communities impacted by hurricanes since 2022.
The USDA will allocate the funds as follows:
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$5.8 million for rural economic development and farm producer support
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$15.6 million to restore damaged infrastructure
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$20 million for safe drinking water, waste disposal, and electric systems
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$2 million for technical assistance to communities navigating aid applications
The disaster fund will also implement administrative reforms to streamline access, eliminate red tape, and address a backlog of pending aid requests. These changes aim to ensure faster delivery of support while expanding eligibility for rural families and small businesses.
This latest effort underscores the USDA’s ongoing commitment to helping rural areas recover, restore essential services, and build resilience after disaster.
For more details and to access USDA disaster assistance programs, visit the Rural Development Disaster Assistance webpage.
