Disaster response and recovery: partnering in times of local community need

As threats from wildfire and extreme weather increase, producers and communities need information to help prepare and resources to support recovery once impacted. Land-grant universities are responding with tools, resources, communications and staffing support that will strengthen resilience and long-term recovery.

Here are a few examples of that work:

• In response to impacts from Hurricane Helene, Extension in Georgia mobilized to support growers and landowners in completing farm tract maps and in understanding the rules, regulations, application processes and paperwork requirements for various farm support programs. Assisting growers not only helped them recoup financial losses but also reduced stress around the program applications. Program assistance completed totaled $43.4 million in direct farmer financial support and nearly 72,000 acres of cropland, timber and pastures in 11 counties.
  University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Supported by county funding. See full statement.

• Virginia Cooperative Extension provided a broad-based response to Hurricane Helene, assisting partners with damage assessments, developing and operating the agriculture relief program to match need with donors, and assisting in the planning and staffing of Agricultural Resource Recovery Days.
  Virginia Cooperative Extension. See full statement.

• A 2024 wildfire burned almost 175,000 acres in northern Wyoming, with some impacted ranches losing all their winter feed and miles of fence. There was a short-term need for supplies and information, and a long-term need for recovery support. Extension supported critical communications and training, including weekly briefs and a range recovery workshop to support long-term grazing planning needs.
  University of Wyoming Extension. Supported by Smith-Lever (3b&c) capacity funds; USDA Capacity – Extension. See full statement.

• Wildfires in Colorado impacted over 200,000 acres in 2025. Extension helped to administer agricultural damage surveys to assess the impacts of wildfires on local producers and created resources for producers, including an FAQ on the potential impacts of fire retardant on livestock and irrigated pastures, as well as post-fire recovery and seeding strategies for rangelands.
  Colorado State University Extension. Supported by Smith-Lever (3b&c) capacity funds. See full statement.

Strengthening disaster preparedness  

Farmers, ranchers and rural communities in Oklahoma face increasing threats from wildfires, tornadoes and drought. To address these challenges, Extension launched a targeted effort to strengthen preparedness, including developing a rapid damage assessment tool, facilitating a joint disaster preparedness exercise and publishing new resources and technical checklists. The effort strengthens rural resilience, with agricultural producers gaining access to more informed and responsive support during disasters.

Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Supported by state appropriations; USDA competitive funds. See full statement.