USDA to Deliver $675.9 Million in Relief to Hurricane-Affected Producers
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced a significant financial aid package to support Florida farmers impacted by recent hurricanes. A total of $675.9 million in disaster relief will be provided through the USDA, targeting losses caused by Hurricanes Idalia, Debbie, Helene, and Milton.
Dale Sandlin with Southeast AgNet reports:
Relief Through the American Relief Act of 2025
The newly announced funding is part of the broader $30 billion disaster assistance initiative under the American Relief Act of 2025. This specific allocation comes following a block grant agreement signed with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
The funding will address a variety of agricultural losses, including:
- Infrastructure damage
- Citrus crop losses
- Timber destruction
- Direct market disruptions
Rollins: “USDA Has Florida’s Back”
In her statement, Secretary Rollins emphasized the urgency and scale of the relief:
“America’s farmers and ranchers across the Southeast and in Florida have been hit hard and suffered significant economic losses during the last two hurricane seasons. USDA has worked closely with the state of Florida to ensure those impacted will have the relief they need. The Trump administration has our farmers’ backs and will ensure they have the resources they need to produce the safest, most reliable, and most abundant food supply in the world.”
Additional Support From State Programs
In parallel, FDACS has finalized a separate grant agreement with Governor Ron DeSantis’s office to extend coverage to losses not already addressed by USDA disaster programs. Producers are encouraged to stay informed on eligibility requirements and application timelines by visiting the FDACS website.
Broader Regional Efforts
The USDA is also collaborating with 13 additional states, including Georgia, to develop and implement similar block grants for disaster recovery. These agreements aim to provide critical support to agricultural producers across the southeastern U.S. who have faced repeated storm-related hardships.
For more information and updates on available disaster assistance programs, affected producers should monitor both USDA and FDACS communications.
Read more about Rollins’ announcement: USDA Announces Millions in Hurricane Relief for Florida Farmers