HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — The application window is now open for a $221 million federal disaster block grant for farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Terry Kelley, director of N.C. Cooperative Extension in Henderson County, said the grant was made possible through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The money was allocated to the state last year, and on March 30, the USDA and the state’s Department of Agriculture opened the grant application period.

“This is additional help for farmers in the area affected by Helene, and it’s going to cover some specific things,” Kelley said.

The program covers four categories of eligible losses: infrastructure damage, market losses, future economic losses and timber losses.

USDA DISASTER BLOCK GRANT APPLICATIONS OPEN SOON FOR HELENE-AFFECTED FARMERS

“The apple trees that were lost, basically washed away,[…] were in full production. I mean, it’s going to take growers four or five years to get those trees back into production,” Kelley said.

Since Helene, Kelley said that farmers have received a little over $450 million from the state, and now $221 million in federal dollars on top of that.

“That sounds like a huge figure. I mean, it sounds like it’s big, but you’re looking at around $650 million, but Henderson County had around [a] $135 million loss, $135 to $150 million loss,” Kelley added.

He said they’re still running behind, with only being at 10% or so recovery, and farmers are still hurting. So, this grant application is an opportunity to get some money back.

News 13 took a trip to McConnell Farms in Henderson County, where farmer Danny McConnell said the last 18 months have been somewhat difficult.

“September 27th will live in my mind for many, many years to come,” he said.

McConnell said he filled out his grant application on Monday. While it’s a lengthy application, he encouraged all farmers to take the time to fill it out.

NEW DHS SECRETARY MARKWAYNE MULLIN VISITS WNC TO HIGHLIGHT STORM RELIEF EFFORTS

Kelley said that, as far as he knows, this is the last opportunity to get recovery money from Helene.

“Is it going to be the kind of money that changes lives? No, probably not. But maybe it’s going to be the kind of money that will at least help bridge the gap to get people back on solid ground,” he said.

Kelley said that with a natural disaster like Hurricane Helene, recovery will take years, but he’s hopeful that little by little, they can help get people back to close to where they were before the storm.

The goal is for all farmers to be aware that help is out there. Kelley said you can fill out the application online or go to your local extension office for help.

For more details on how to apply, visit the link here.

RALEIGH — Throughout March, NC State football returned to its practice fields and began its preparations for the 2026 season. Things were very different for Dave Doeren and his staff this spring compared to a year ago for several unique reasons, but most of them were positive ones.

The Wolfpack had many different newcomers to integrate this season, both from the transfer portal and the recruiting class, but it seemed to go seamlessly in spring camp for Doeren and the coordinators. Continuity and a veteran presence helped NC State feel as though it could be in for a very successful 2026 season, potentially cracking that 10-win mark for the first time under Doeren.

No new coordinators

During the 2025 offseason, Doeren embarked on a major overhaul of his coaching staff. Defensive coordinator Tony Gibson left the Wolfpack for a head coaching position at Marshall, with DJ Eliot replacing him during the offseason. Doeren elevated quarterback coach Kurt Roper to offensive coordinator to replace Robert Anae after a rough 2024 campaign.

The changes at both coordinator spots meant spring football was a bit of a mess, with two new schemes going in and the entire team learning the new systems. The complete defensive overhaul became even more difficult due to a surplus of injuries, which shortened the roster significantly. That forced Eliot and Doeren to explore the spring transfer portal for players like Cian Slone and Sabastian Harsh. With that window gone, NC State adjusted to its new reality in 2026.

Eliot, Roper and Doeren all explained how much easier things were with the schemes installed this offseason, as there were enough players around from the 2025 season to teach some of the tendencies and points of emphasis on the field where the coaches can’t always communicate.

Doeren still finds himself coaching more of the basics than he did before the transfer portal era, but it’s been an easier adjustment than anticipated for the veteran head coach. It also seems to be igniting a new fire as he heads into his 14th season, something that became particularly evident when he shot down retirement rumors during the 2025 campaign.

Experienced transfers

The other part of spring camp that made coaching easier for Doeren, Eliot and Roper was the fact that many of the transfers the team brought in had extensive experience already. JoJo Trader, Popo Aguirre and Chance Robinson all played for the Miami Hurricanes, contributing to varying degrees to a deep College Football Playoff run. Harvey Dyson also played in the CFP with Tulane.

Translating a playbook to players already accustomed to playing at a very high level is much easier than teaching it to an entirely new group, as the Wolfpack had a year ago. The hope is that those veteran players will help NC State take another step, rather than just maintaining the position they finished in at the end of the 2025 season.

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