(GFVGA) — At the end of February, Governor Kemp announced details surrounding the $347 million in federal block grant funds that the state has secured to combat the devastation incurred by Hurricane Michael. The state will began accepting applications for block grant funds.
Georgia farmers and forest landowners in 95 eligible counties (see map below), who suffered losses to beef, dairy, fruit and vegetable, pecan, poultry, timber, and uninsured infrastructure, will need to enroll in the recovery program. The federal block grants seek to help recover losses not covered under existing USDA Farm Service Agency programs. This means not all losses a producer experienced due to Hurricane Michael will be eligible. Eligible losses under this grant are:
Fruit & Vegetable:
Expenses related to damaged and destroyed production inputs of plasticulture and bareground production
Pecan:
Future income loss from lost trees
Uninsured Infrastructure:
Expenses and losses related to general infrastructure and irrigation used in production of an agricultural commodity. This applies to any agricultural commodity that was in the structure or under the irrigation system at the time of the storm and suffered a loss to the commodity.
Before you begin the application, we encourage you to view the application worksheet. This document will provide you with a summary of what information you will need to provide. You can view the worksheet by clicking here.
Additionally, you will be required to provide specific documents, all of which are detailed on the application worksheet and are available on the Farm Recovery website. You can also access them below:
- FRBG-01: Third Party Certification of Timber Damage
- FRBG-02: Veterinarian Certification of Damage
- FRBG-03: Entity Organization
You can apply for Farm Recovery Block Grant funds by clicking here. Only online applications will be accepted. While mobile phones may be used to sign up and log in, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the application using a computer to ensure proper upload and attachment of required documents. All applications must be completed and submitted by April 8, 2020. For questions regarding the Farm Recovery Block Grant, please contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) at farmrecovery@agr.georgia.gov.
Source: Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association