The U.S. Department of Agriculture has renewed the federal disaster designation for the BIg Island due to the impact that vog is having on agriculture.  

The federal declaration allows Hawai’i County agricultural producers the opportunity to apply for emergency loans due to damage caused by volcanic emissions. This type of disaster assistance has been provided for Hawai’i Island agricultural producers since 2008. 

Agricultural damages reported in Hawai’i County include: damage to vegetable crops (especially leafy greens), some orchard crops, flowers and foliage (including those under greenhouses). Ranchers have experienced adverse impacts on range grasses and premature corrosion of fencing, gates and other metal infrastructure.