After some contested politics within state government, South Carolina farmers will get financial aid to help them recover from historic flooding that hit them at harvest last year.

The legislation, called Palmetto Farm Aid, provides $40 million to help farmers who sustained major losses not covered by crop insurance and other disaster relief funding. Farmers with at least 40 percent in losses are eligible for one-time grants capped at 20 percent of total loss or $100,000. The grants only cover production costs such as seed and fertilizer, not debt or new equipment, according to South Carolina Dept. of Agriculture statement.

In the next 2-3 weeks, an advisory board will meet and determine the criteria for eligibility and to establish the application process. To qualify, farmers must have a United Stated Department of Agriculture-Farm Service Agency issued farm number and be able to demonstrate at least a 40 percent crop loss as a result of the flood. Documentation of crops and acres planted as well as loss will be required. Applicants must also sign an affidavit verifying their information to be true.

For more information about the aid, farmers are asked to contact in the next few weeks their local USDA office, Clemson Extension office, county Farm Bureau, or at the SCDA website.

The aid legislation didn’t have an easy path. It was passed by South Carolina’s General Assembly but vetoed by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, causing political disagreements between the governor and South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers.

“Even though farmers were among those hit hardest by the October floods, with more than $376 million in losses, the governor is turning her back on our state’s largest industry,” Weathers said in a statement March 16. “The floods devastated many who lost a year’s income and are struggling to put a new crop in the ground. “

The South Carolina house overrode the governor’s veto March 17.

“Governor Haley has opposed all types of federal and state relief for South Carolina’s farmers, calling it a ‘bailout and ‘unfair,’” Weathers said. “This is no bailout – it is a lifeline that is desperately needed. The only thing unfair would be to deny farmers relief that other businesses and individuals have received.”

FEMA has paid approximately $375 million for homeowners through flood insurance claims and other assistance, with an additional $157 million in aid included in the federal budget passed in December.  However, farmers were excluded from this financial assistance, according to SCDA statement.