Here are a few updates on events from this past week in Washington as well as a COVID-19 update.  Thank you for subscribing, and please consider recommending this resource to a friend — as many of you already do! 

Supporting an Extension of Disaster Assistance for Producers Impacted by Hurricane Isaias

Hurricane Isaias inflicted severe damage in Southeastern North Carolina in 2020, resulting in $29 million in agricultural losses not covered by insurance for which agricultural producers have had no assistance with recovery. 

I’m pleased the House Agriculture Committee came together in a bipartisan fashion this week to advance the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act.  Extension of this program is critical for our farm families who suffered losses due to a disaster event in 2020 and 2021 — under current law those farmers who suffered losses in those years are not eligible for assistance under this program.  Hopefully both chambers of Congress will be able to pass this legislation to provide an extension of that disaster program so that producers hit hard by Hurricane Isaias can get assistance. 

Speaking of disasters related to hurricanes, be aware of “Know Your Zone,” a new system of coastal evacuation zones launched in 2020 for North Carolina’s coastal counties which are most vulnerable to impacts from dangerous hurricanes and storms.  Please review your zone here and share these important resources with a friend or neighbor.