USDA allocates $340.6 million in disaster aid to support rural recovery efforts

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $340.6 million in disaster relief funding aimed at aiding farmers, ranchers, and rural communities recovering from recent natural disasters.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins made the announcement during a visit to North Dakota, where more than $5 million will be directed to support the reconstruction of electric infrastructure damaged by severe storms and wildfires.

The USDA Disaster Assistance Fund, which President Donald Trump deployed in accordance with a January executive order, is intended to expedite support to areas affected by recent disasters. The department said the relief will address a backlog of assistance requests and include policy changes intended to streamline delivery.

Funding allocations include $25 million for hurricane-affected communities in North Carolina and $18 million for similar efforts in Tennessee. The relief covers damage from hurricanes Fiona, Ian, Idalia, Helene, and others since 2022.

The breakdown of the USDA’s relief package includes:

• $20 million for restoration of drinking water systems, sanitary waste disposal, and electric infrastructure;
• $15.6 million for rural infrastructure rebuilding;
• $5.8 million to support economic development among farm enterprises;
• $2 million for technical assistance to towns applying for aid.

The administration also introduced procedural changes to improve the fund’s effectiveness. According to USDA, these include removing eligibility barriers such as income thresholds and population caps, and accelerating the release of funds.

The USDA stated the funding will be used to repair homes, businesses, and critical services in communities most affected by disasters, emphasizing the department’s aim to enhance resilience and recovery in rural areas.