“This is the most important thing I have worked on since becoming Ag Commissioner,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and it was absolutely pummeled in 2018. Many farmers are hurting and may not be able to secure funding to start the 2019 growing season. While this money does not come close to making whole the crop losses, I hope it will help farmers get financing for the coming year and help jump-start the economies of rural North Carolina.”

More than $15.2 million was mailed Jan. 31 with a second batch going out Feb. 1, with about 2,000 of the 7,000 submitted applications processed by the week’s end. Applications are being processed randomly, not on a county-by-county basis. Of the state’s 100 counties, 70 received a presidential or secretarial disaster declaration, qualifying farmers for the program. Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael caused an estimated $1.2 billion in agricultural losses statewide. 

Checks will be processed weekly as applications are verified and approved.