Supporting Farmers Impacted by Hurricane Helene
Rebuild stronger. Prepare smarter. Recover together.
Are you a farmer in Western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene?
Join the WNC Farm Resilience Cohort—a new program designed to help farmers recover from disaster and plan for the future.
This hands-on program connects you with peer farmers, technical experts, and practical tools to support both recovery and long-term farm resilience.
Why Participate
Hurricane Helene brought significant challenges to WNC farms. The Farm Resilience Cohort is here to help you take the next steps toward recovery and readiness.
Participants will work together in a small group setting to:
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Identify on-farm risks and vulnerabilities
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Develop a personalized disaster preparedness and recovery plan
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Connect with local experts and Extension specialists
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Build stronger, more resilient farm systems for the future
What You’ll Gain
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✅ Practical tools to document your farm’s assets and assess disaster risks
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🧭 Step-by-step guidance to create a customized action plan
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👩🌾 Peer collaboration with other WNC farmers
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💬 Expert support from Extension agents and technical specialists
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💳 $100 gift card to purchase an item from your risk management plan
Program Sessions
Virtual Session 1: Disaster Risk Preparation, Management & Best Practices
December 2025 - Learn key strategies for disaster preparedness, farm continuity, and recovery planning.
Virtual Session 2: Risk Assessment & Recovery Tools
December 2025 - Assess your farm’s assets, identify risks, and develop a clear recovery roadmap.
In-Person Working Session:
January 2026 - Join other cohort members to refine your plan, connect with experts, and share ideas. You’ll leave with a solid, actionable resilience plan tailored to your farm.
Who Should Apply
Farmers and producers in WNC who were impacted by Hurricane Helene or want to strengthen their disaster preparedness.
How to Join
Space is limited to ensure individualized support. Complete this Google Form to apply.
If you have any additional questions, reach out to Laura Lauffer, Project Director of Empowering Mountain Food Systems, at lwlauffe@ncsu.edu.
Together, we can strengthen Western North Carolina’s farms—and communities—for whatever comes next.
Brought to you in partnership by:
N.C. Cooperative Extension
Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE)
Empowering Mountain Food Systems (EMFS)
