In the aftermath of three hurricanes to affect Florida communities, homes, farms and businesses this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to deploy staff to assist with response and recovery efforts. USDA has put in place plans and program flexibilities to ensure farmers, and foresters and communities are able to get the support they need. The USDA Farm Service …
USDA Undersecretary Tours Hurricane Damage in Florida
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been busy working with agricultural producers and landowners affected by the recent hurricanes. USDA Undersecretary Robert Bonnie has been across the Southeast and is spending time touring some of the areas of Florida yesterday and today that were affected by Hurricane Milton. He talked to Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman about the damage he has seen …
USDA-NRCS Chief Surveys Hurricane Damage in Georgia
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind producers and landowners affected by the recent hurricanes about the various programs available to help with restoration efforts. NRCS Chief Terry Cosby toured some of the areas of Georgia this week and talked to Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman about the damage he saw from Hurricane Helene and some of the USDA programs …
USDA-NRCS Florida Expedites Disaster Assistance Sign-up through EQIP
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS in Florida (NRCS-FL) has announced it has begun accepting applications for disaster assistance funding through the Emergency Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to provide technical and financial assistance to agricultural landowners and producers in recovering from damages caused by hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. Approximately $26 million will be made available for EQIP disaster assistance applicants to …
Southeast Producers Impacted by Hurricane Helene to Receive Indemnity Payments
Southeast producers suffering Hurricane Helene related damages and losses will soon receive indemnity payments under a federal crop insurance product. Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the counties that have triggered for payment under the Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) endorsement for Hurricane Helene. As a result, Approved Insurance Providers (AIP) have 30 days to issue payments …
FDACS Urges USDA to Issue Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Milton Agricultural Damage
~ Preliminary Agricultural Damage Assessment Estimates Losses at $1.5 – $2.5 Billion ~ (FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/October 17, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson sent a letter to the United States Secretary of Agriculture formally requesting a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Disaster Declaration for Florida counties impacted by Hurricane Milton. Hurricane Milton caused catastrophic damage to Florida’s agricultural producers, compounding losses and …
American Agriculture History Minute: Colorado Dust Bowl
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Greeley became Colorado’s first major agricultural settlement, and they soon discovered there that irrigation was going to be the key to what was called the Great American Desert at that time. And by 1900, Colorado indeed led the nation in the acreage of irrigated farmland. But ever-larger federal reclamation projects transformed …
Florida Ag Expo Cancelled
Considering Hurricane Milton’s extensive damage to Florida’s agriculture community, AgNet Media and the University of Florida/IFAS has decided to cancel the 2024 Florida Ag Expo. Hurricane Milton has caused significant damage across Florida’s agricultural lands, making proceeding with this year’s event impractical. The hurricane has caused widespread damage to crops, greenhouses and farm infrastructure, and many growers are still experiencing …
Indemnity Payments to Producers Impacted by Hurricane Helene by USDA
(USDA/WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2024)Â — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced additional assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help producers impacted by Hurricane Helene in the recovery process. USDA is announcing the counties that have triggered for payment under the Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) endorsement for Hurricane Helene. As a result, Approved Insurance Providers (AIP) have 30 days …
Alabama Cattlemen Helping with Hurricane Relief
The Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation is hosting a relief effort benefitting cattle producers in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina affected by the recent hurricanes. In coordination with each state Cattlemen’s Association, the effort focuses on collecting fencing materials and monetary donations. Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Executive Vice President, Erin Beasley, says they are working to help their neighbors. Donations being accepted include …