When a disaster hits Tennessee, the agricultural sector is one of the first industries to be affected. Flooding, tornadoes, and wildfires can damage crops, livestock, and farm equipment. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Emergency Restoration Services (AERS) program helps farmers and agricultural businesses recover from disasters.
AERS provides financial assistance for repairs to agricultural buildings and equipment, as well as for the purchase of replacement livestock. The program also helps farmers replant crops that have been damaged or destroyed.
In order to be eligible for AERS assistance, farmers must have suffered agricultural production losses of at least 30 percent due to the disaster. Farmers must also have insurance that covers at least a portion of their losses.
AERS assistance is available to farmers in all 95 Tennessee counties. For more information about the program, visit the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s website or call (615) 837-5103.
https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/programs-services/disaster-assistance.html
https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/agriculture-ranchers-farmers