South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster made an appearance in the CSRA on Friday for Farm and Forest Recovery Day, an event aiming to support the state’s farming and forestry communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Set up in USC Aiken’s Student Activities Center, the initiative served as a one-stop resource for individuals to learn about available assistance and services.
Twenty-four state and federal agencies set up booths on campus, including the Clemson University Extension, the Small Business Administration and the SC Department of Agriculture.
McMaster on recovery for farmers
According to the governor’s office, damage assessments completed by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and South Carolina Forestry Commission estimate the total financial damage to South Carolina’s agribusiness industry from Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Debby and this summer’s flash drought to be $621 million.
McMaster responded to this with a letter addressed to members of the South Carolina congressional delegation requesting their support in securing federal funding through a block grant to the South Carolina Department of Agriculture that would allow additional resources to be deployed to affected farming and forestry communities across the state.
On Friday, he commented on the Recovery Day turnout at the college, saying many of the visiting community told him that “they had no idea that all these kinds of programs existed.”
“If you don’t know where to go, then you don’t know where to go…putting it all under one roof…we thought this was the thing to do,” he added.
Agribusiness workers and mental health support
The stat’s Department of Mental Health had a table at Friday’s event, and Jennifer Butler, the department’s director of public education, said that they wanted to support agribusiness workers during the difficult aftermath of Helene.
“We know that even in a good year, farmers and tree producers have a higher risk and vulnerability for suicide, as well as stress-related symptoms like anxiety and depression,” said Butler.
The department focused on highlighting Hopeful Minds, an online platform offering 24/7 mental health resources specifically for South Carolinians.
Just an hour after it began, Butler said the Recovery Day was turning out to be a success: “There’s already a steady stream [of visitors] which I love…it’s amazing to see so many of our state agencies in one spot. You rarely see us all gathered and I think that it sends a strong message to South Carolinians.”
FEMA aid for damaged farm equipment
FEMA representatives were also available at the event offering their services.
The organization’s Media Relations Specialist Nikki Gaskins Campbell said that while FEMA assistance is focused on home and rental property damage, farmers could be able to use their resources for damaged equipment.
“If they suffered damage to their equipment, they may be able to get assistance for that…we really want people to know there’s a variety of ways they may be able to use this assistance.”
According to Gaskins Campbell, FEMA has approved more than $221 million and housing and other types of assistance to 216,434 SC households as of Nov. 14.
Likewise, FEMA has approved more than 179,100 applications for assistance from Helene survivors in designated Georgia counties, approving more than $221 million for Georgians.
Gaskins Campbell said that FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers will be in place throughout the CSRA as long as a need remains, but highlighted that the registration deadline for assistance is Jan. 8, 2025.
“The agricultural industry is the lifeblood of South Carolina and we know that many farmers were impacted by Hurricane Helene. So that’s why we are excited to take part in this event and be able to help them register for disaster assistance or also answer any recovery questions they might have,” she said.
Nearby Disaster Recovery Center can be located at FEMA.org/drc find the nearest disaster recovery center.
Additional dates
Friday wasn’t the last chance for the community to experience Farm and Forest Recovery Day; the event will also take place on Nov. 21 in Greenville at Greenville Technical College and again on Dec. 6 in Myrtle Beach at at Embassy Suites at Kingston Plantation.
