ATLANTA (WJBF) - The US Senate has given the green light for a $21 billion dollar disaster relief fund which can help Georgia farmers recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.
It includes $10 billion dollars in economic assistance for farmers who have struggled with tough market conditions, rising costs and cheap imports.
Senator Jon Ossoff said he worked with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to help provide relief for Georgia farmers. He said his team has in been in close contact with growers and ranchers across the state after orchards and crops were destroyed by the hurricane.
"Remember, agriculture is Georgia's number one industry," said Ossoff. "Rural Georgia depends on agriculture as its life blood. If family farms in Georgia fail, then whole rural families fail and the tax base there crumbles. Funding for infrastructure and public safety is not available."
Ossoff said the Department of Agriculture will determine if this will be a block grant for Georgia or if the USDA will provide direct payments, and how much of it will depend on how many producers apply for the funds.
