The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences (NCDA&CS) will host a final informational meeting about the Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program for Christmas tree, nursery, forestry, and agricultural producers who experienced Hurricane Helene-related losses on Thursday, June 4, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Avery County Cooperative Extension Center. A meal will be provided for in-person attendees. A Zoom option will also be available for those who cannot attend in person. Registration information can be found at the end of this page. The current grant application deadline is June 12, 2026 and Christmas tree producers are encouraged to attend and learn more about the process.
Topics for the information session will include:
• Eligibility requirements
• Economic and market loss documentation
• Timber loss information
• Application procedures
• Required records and supporting documentation
• Question and answer session
6:00 PM
Welcome Address
Jerry Moody, County Extension Director, Avery County
6:15 PM
Overview of the NCDA&CS Disaster Block Grant & Eligible Loss Categories
Weston McCorkle, NCDA&CS Agricultural Program Specialist
Victor Youngblood, NCDA&CS Program Specialist, Disaster Assistance/USDA Liaison
6:30 PM
Eligibility Requirements for Christmas Tree and Nursery Growers
Weston McCorkle, Victor Youngblood
Risk Mitigation, Now and in the Future
Mark Thompson, Flatlands Insurance Group
7:00 PM
Risk Mitigation
Mark Thompson
Economic Loss and Market Loss Documentation
NCDA&CS Panel
7:30 PM
Application Process, Deadlines, Common Application Questions
Weston McCorkle
Panel Discussion:
Required Records and Supporting Materials Needed for Growers
Question and Answers
Next Steps and Wrap-Up
Please contact Avery County Cooperative Extension at (828) 733-8270 to register for the in-person session or email Jerry Moody (Jerry_Moody@ncsu.edu) or Will Kohlway (whkohlwa@ncsu.edu) for the Zoom Meeting information.
