Georgia Department of Agriculture Announces Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program Update

The Georgia Department of Agriculture has announced that Georgia’s Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program is nearing final approval and is expected to open soon. Since Hurricane Helene impacted Georgia’s agricultural community, GGIA has remained actively engaged — responding to requests for information, providing data, definitions, and industry-specific context, sharing member experiences, and helping keep lines of communication open as the program has taken shape.

We know many nursery, greenhouse, and landscape businesses across the state experienced significant and often complex losses from this storm, particularly losses not addressed through other USDA disaster programs. The guidance documents linked below are provided directly by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and are intended to help producers understand eligibility and prepare for the application process once applications open.

Block Grant Overview

FAQ & Guidance

Eligible Counties

Since this update was shared earlier today, GGIA has received two additional guidance documents from the Georgia Department of Agriculture that are specific to nursery and greenhouse operations. These documents provide further clarification to help growers assess eligibility and prepare documentation in advance of the application opening. We encourage nursery and greenhouse members to review these materials carefully.

Greenhouse Structures Guidance

Plastic Mulch Guidance (ground cover for nurseries)

GGIA will continue to track developments and  communicate updates as additional details are released, including the  announcement of the application window.