Atlanta, Ga. - Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper issues a statement praising the passage of critical disaster relief and economic assistance by both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. He is urging President Biden to swiftly sign the legislation into law to provide immediate relief to Georgia’s agricultural community.
“This vital legislation delivers much-needed relief to Georgia’s farmers, ranchers, and communities devastated by Hurricane Helene,” said Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “The past few years have been among the toughest in our nation’s history for farm families—battling soaring input costs, plummeting commodity prices, the expiration of the Farm Bill, and catastrophic natural disasters. I commend both the House and Senate for recognizing these unprecedented hardships and taking decisive action. I urge President Biden to sign this bill without delay to ensure that relief reaches those who need it most, as quickly as possible.”
Of the total package passed by Congress, $31 billion is specifically allocated for an agricultural aid package designed to provide much-needed relief to U.S. farmers facing a range of challenges. Of the $31 billion, $21 billion is allocated for immediate disaster relief for U.S. farmers affected by hurricanes, wildfires, and drought in 2023 and 2024, including support of recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. Another $10 billion is earmarked for economic recovery initiatives to help U.S. farmers offset the sharp decline in income, rising supply costs, and falling commodity prices. This aid package will provide much needed support for Georgia farmers, ranchers, and producers. Additionally, the legislation includes a critical extension of the Farm Bill, offering vital stability and security to the agriculture sector amid ongoing uncertainty. This historic measure is a vital step in aiding Georgia’s agricultural communities as they recover and rebuild from the devastating impacts of the storm.
