WNC Communities recognizes that farmers in the region have immediate disaster relief needs to stabilize their farm businesses and to support a resilient regional food system. The goal of this program is to provide resources quickly, while making reasonable efforts not to duplicate other funding sources. These funds are meant to assist legitimate farm businesses with urgent needs that will directly impact the ability to get the farm business back in operation as soon aspossible. The Immediate Disaster Needs grant is offered by WNC Communities as part of our WNCC Regional Support, LLC.

Who Can Apply? Farm businesses with damages directly related to Tropical Storm Helene are eligible. Any farm with direct damages within WNC Communities’ 20 county service region may apply: Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison,Macon, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Yancey.

We are working with partner agencies throughout WNC to expedite this process in order to get funds in the hands of farmers most in need. To do this, we ask you to contact one of the partners (see details in application) and let them know that you intend to apply.

When to Apply? For our first round of funding, we will be accepting applications from October 10th - 31st. (Application Window is Now Closed) Funds will be awarded on a rolling basis, prioritizing the most urgent needs first. Funds not distributed during the first round of funding will be made available through subsequent application periods.

More funding may also be available for additional support in subsequent application periods.

Note: Those who receive funding will be asked to provide receipts of expenses paid with grant funds and to document their recovery efforts.