Secretary Rollins Surveys Fire and Hurricane Damage in Western North Carolina, Previews Rural Prosperity Vision

USDA Secretary Tours Devastated Areas and Announces Support Measures

Secretary Rollins of the U.S. Department of Agriculture completed a comprehensive tour of Western North Carolina this week, surveying the extensive damage caused by recent wildfires and Hurricane impacts that have devastated rural communities across the region.

“The resilience of North Carolina’s rural communities in the face of these dual disasters is remarkable,” Secretary Rollins stated during a press conference in Asheville. “The USDA is committed to providing both immediate relief and long-term support to help these communities rebuild stronger than before.”

Damage Assessment and Immediate Response

The Secretary’s visit included stops in several hard-hit counties where agricultural operations have suffered significant losses. Local farmers reported destroyed crops, damaged infrastructure, and livestock impacts that threaten their livelihoods.

Rollins met with emergency management officials, local USDA staff, and affected farmers to assess the full scope of the damage. The tour highlighted particular concerns about watershed contamination, soil erosion, and the long-term environmental impacts that could affect agricultural productivity in the region for years to come.

“What we’re seeing here isn’t just immediate property damage,” Rollins explained. “These disasters have long-term implications for soil health, water quality, and the economic stability of rural communities that depend on agriculture.”

Rural Prosperity Initiative Announced

Following the damage assessment, Secretary Rollins unveiled elements of the administration’s new Rural Prosperity Initiative, which will direct significant resources toward helping Western North Carolina communities recover and build resilience against future disasters.

The initiative includes:

– Emergency funding for immediate farm recovery operations
– Low-interest loans for rebuilding agricultural infrastructure
– Technical assistance for implementing climate-resilient farming practices
– Workforce development programs to address labor shortages in the recovery effort

“This isn’t just about returning to the status quo,” Rollins emphasized. “We have an opportunity to reimagine rural prosperity in Western North Carolina with more sustainable practices, diversified agricultural operations, and stronger supply chains.”

Local Reaction and Next Steps

Local officials and agricultural leaders expressed appreciation for the Secretary’s visit and the promised support.

“Having Secretary Rollins here to see the damage firsthand makes a difference,” said Maria Hernandez, a local apple grower whose orchards were severely damaged. “We need both immediate help and long-term thinking to get back on our feet.”

The USDA will be deploying additional staff to the region in the coming weeks to expedite assistance applications and provide technical support to affected farmers. Secretary Rollins also announced plans for a follow-up visit in three months to monitor recovery progress.

“The road to recovery will be long,” Rollins acknowledged, “but the administration is committed to standing with Western North Carolina’s rural communities every step of the way. This is about more than disaster response—it’s about securing a prosperous future for rural America.”

The Secretary’s office indicated that the Western North Carolina recovery effort would serve as a model for the administration’s broader approach to rural development and disaster resilience nationwide.