Georgia Ag Commissioner Highlights Team Effort Behind $531 Million Block Grant
Following the devastating impact of last year’s storm, the announcement of the Hurricane Helene Block Grant last week brings a much-needed $531 million in relief for Georgia’s agricultural community. The funding is aimed at helping farmers recover losses tied to the storm’s destruction, and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper emphasized the cooperative effort behind the grant’s success.
“At the end of the day, this is definitely a team effort,” Harper said. “It’s imperative that we’re all pulling the wagon in the same direction, that we’re working together to help our farm families to get back on their feet, because at the end of the day, what matters is getting to the finish line.”
Georgia’s farming sector, already reeling from the storm’s impact, has leaned heavily on collaboration across state and federal levels. Harper praised the unity shown across the agricultural community.
“And that’s why I’m so proud of the Georgia Ag community, because our farm families, our industry partners, we strap up our boots and we go to work together to do just that, to ensure that we’re working together, not working against.”
The block grant program is only one part of a broader approach. Harper highlighted several initiatives, including the Weathered but Strong program, and emphasized how different entities came together to secure funding.
“Our team has been right in the middle of this, obviously in relation to the block grant itself. But it takes all of us… working with the General Assembly on the state level to get the needed resources that way, or working with our friends on the federal level to ensure that they understand the need.”
Federal support has also played a critical role, with leaders like Congressman Austin Scott stepping in.
“Congressman Austin Scott is a perfect example who goes to bat every single day for farm families and producers and has helped us tremendously with this block grant program,” Harper said.
As Georgia’s farm families begin to rebuild, the funding represents not only financial aid but also a testament to statewide and national partnership in action.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.