Appalachian Forest
Farmer Coalition
Post-Disaster Resources
November 2024: Forest Farming in the Southeast after Tropical Storm Helene
On September 27th, 2024 Tropical Storm Helene reached the southernmost portions of the Appalachian Mountains, and left a path of destruction through the heavily forested regions of Western North Carolina, Upper South Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, and Southwest Virginia. These rich and highly diverse forests are home to many forest farmers, and the Appalachian Forest Farmer Coalition stands in solidarity with all those affected.
The region is beginning the recovery phase post-disaster, while some counties remain in active relief mode. There are short term and long term needs to support Southern Appalachian forest farmers and all those affected by the historic, geologic event. Agroforestry practices are an important part of the future.
Below are a few ways to participate in the recovery and begin to help build a more resilient post-disaster response infrastructure in the future.
We are collecting voluntary and anonymous information about damage from Helene to forest farms in Southern and Central Appalachia, as well as farmer needs. Our intent is to compile information about Helene's impact on your forest farm and generate regional estimates to assist recovery efforts. While voluntary, we encourage participation in this ten question survey if you experienced any forest farm damage to ensure estimates reflect the scale and scope of loss due to the storm. Other Agroforestry practices that experienced damage are also noted within the survey.
.jpg)
The storm damage was widespread as well as localized in parts of TN, VA, SC and NC. Hundreds of thousands of acres of forest were damaged in North Carolina alone. There is a need for planting seeds and planting stock in the agroforestry community to assist in disaster recovery in the short and long term. Please fill out the google form if you would like to share plant material with our forest farmers of Helene affected areas
.jpg)
Post Helene Farm and Agroforestry Recovery Volunteer Opportunities
A number of organizations are organizing volunteer and farmer to farmer labor groups to assist in short and long term recovery. If you would like to participate with on the ground recovery and planting efforts, please fill out this volunteer form with our partners at Organic Growers School at this link. Please contact margaret_bloomquist@ncsu.edu with any questions.
​
More ways to help the region in recovery:
https://www.organicgrowersschool.org/helene-recovery/ways-to-support
