a cooperative association of Black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives

October 7, 2024

v2 updated

FSC/LAF Partners with

Farm Aid to Disburse Disaster Relief for Florida Farmers

Impacted by Helene & Ian

Disaster relief is a crucial part of our mission in cooperative economic development, land retention, and advocacy.

FSC/LAF is committed to supporting our communities across the South, recognizing that many have been among the hardest hit.

Step 2: Application Confirmation

You will get a confirmation email within 14 business days of submitting your application. It will come from events@federation.coop or naomithompkins@federation.coop.

Step 3: Decision

Please expect to receive a call from an FSC/LAf staff person to verify information pertinent to the grant determination process. If you qualify for a mini-grant, you will receive a decision within 30 business days.

Step 4: Grant Award/Denial

If awarded, the $500 mini-grant will be sent within 30 business days after the decision email.

If denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reason for the denial.

Funds will be given on a first-come, first-served basis until depleted.

About Helene (2024)

Category 4 Atlantic Hurricane

Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia Creative Commons

The Florida National Guard cleaning damage in Keaton Beach, Florida, following Helene

Hurricane Helene was a large, deadly, catastrophic, fast-moving tropical cyclone.

It was the strongest on record to strike the Big Bend region of Florida, and it devastated parts of the Southeastern United States. It was the eighth named storm, fifth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

• Formed: September 24, 2024
• Extratropical: September 27, 2024
• Dissipated: September 29, 2024
• Highest winds (1-minute sustained): 140 mph (220 km/h)
• Areas affected: Yucatan Peninsula, Cayman Islands, Cuba, U.S. Gulf Coast, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Indiana, Illinois

About Ian (2022)

Category 5 Atlantic

Hurricane Ian was a deadly and extremely destructive tropical cyclone that was the third costliest weather disaster on record worldwide, the deadliest hurricane to strike the state of Florida since the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, and the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Florida since Michael in 2018.



Ian caused widespread damage across western Cuba, Florida, and the Carolinas. Ian was the ninth named storm, fourth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season and was the first Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic since Lorenzo in 2019.

More Resources

Click here to visit FSC/LAF's resources page for the latest updates.

We understand that farmers across America have been affected by recent disasters. As a Federation, we stand in solidarity with them and our partner organizations in supporting all family farmers impacted.



Below is a list of resources we hope will assist those in need.

Farm Aid Farmer Resources

USDA NRCS Disaster Recovery Assistance for Hurricane Helene

FEMA Oct. 2: Response and Recovery Efforts Underway Across Multiple Affected by Hurricane Helene

US Forest Service, Oct 2 Hurricane Helene support

Fema: Proper Emergency Kit Essential to Hurricane Preparedness

American Red Cross Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund is a 57-year-old cooperative association of Black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives.

Our mission is to be a catalyst for the development of self-supporting communities through cooperative economic development, land retention, and advocacy.

We envision sustainable rural communities supported by a network of farmers, landowners, and cooperatives based on local control and ownership.