USDA and Florida Partner on $675.9 Million Block Grant
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins recently visited Florida to meet with agricultural leaders and producers, where she announced major disaster recovery assistance for the state’s farmers. During her visit, Secretary Rollins signed a Block Grant Agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to provide targeted support for producers impacted by hurricanes Adelin, Debby, Helene, and Milton.
Tyron Spearman for Southeast AgNet Reports:
Funding to Support Citrus, Timber, and Infrastructure
The agreement includes $675.9 million in federal aid, which will be used to help farmers recover from losses related to infrastructure damage, citrus and timber destruction, and direct market losses. The funds will be administered through a block grant program, offering Florida the flexibility to address its unique recovery needs.
Part of $30 Billion in National Disaster Relief
This funding is part of a larger $30 billion disaster assistance package authorized by the American Relief Act. The USDA is working with 14 states, including Florida and Georgia, to implement similar block grant programs across the country. Each grant is designed to address state-specific recovery efforts, ensuring efficient distribution and use of the funds.
With the money now appropriated, USDA and FDACS are expected to begin deploying the funds in the near future to help stabilize affected agricultural sectors.
Conclusion
The new block grant is a critical step in helping Florida’s farmers recover from multiple hurricane events. Producers are encouraged to stay informed through FDACS and USDA channels as program details and application processes become available.