U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the following video featuring Hurricane Michael survivors telling their personal stories, and asking Congress to put politics aside, and do its job. Even though the Category 5 storm devastated Florida’s Panhandle almost seven months ago, Congress continues to play politics instead of passing critical disaster funding for local communities still struggling to recover. For …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Releases Hurricane Michael Video: “America’s Forgotten Disaster”
Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried released a new mini-documentary video entitled “America’s Forgotten Disaster,” highlighting the destruction and consequences of Hurricane Michael, with a focus on forestry and timber. The video documents Commissioner Fried’s tours of Panhandle communities devastated by Hurricane Michael, features visually powerful reminders of the damage to forests and timber farms and the looming threat of wildfire, and includes …
Farm Groups Ask President, Congress for Disaster Relief
A group of 135 farm organizations and banks that supply seasonal loans to farms and ranches today called on President Trump and Congress to put aside political differences and supply urgently needed relief in the wake of weather-related disasters in 2018 and 2019. The organizations highlighted the year’s unprecedented destruction in the letter. Farmers and ranchers are especially anxious for …
Farmers Need Disaster Relief Now
The following statement concerning congressional efforts to provide disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “Farms and ranches across the country have endured an incredibly difficult year in 2018 and the trend continues in 2019 with historic hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and wildfires. Losses total more than $8 billion, and the …
Wakulla County, Florida, Designated as a Primary Natural Disaster Area
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated Wakulla County, Florida, as a primary natural disaster area. Producers who suffered losses due to Hurricane Michael that occurred on Oct. 10, 2018, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This natural disaster area designation allows FSA to …
Special Hurricane Disaster Assistance for Alabama Landowners
For agricultural producers affected by Hurricane Michael, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama can help. Special financial assistance signup continues for those suffering damage to working lands and livestock mortality. While the first batching period has ended, a second signup period runs until Nov. 9. Special Hurricane Disaster Assistance for Alabama Landowners Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester …
FFBF Provides Hurricane Damage Tax Rebates Webpage
At the end of the 2018 Florida Legislative Session last month, the House and Senate passed a tax package that provides relief for farmers and property owners impacted by Hurricane Irma. Then less than two weeks later, Governor Rick Scott signed the tax-cut package, HB 7087, which authorizes many things. It offers tax breaks on agricultural fencing materials purchased for …
Ag Committee Leaders Praise Bipartisan Budget Act
Senate Ag Committee Chair Pat Roberts says the Bipartisan Budget Act passed in both chambers of Congress benefits Americans in many ways. It avoids a government shutdown, raises military funding, contains disaster assistance for several states that were hit hard by natural disasters, and improves livestock assistance programs. Roberts says, “In addition to disaster assistance for states hit hard by …
Farm Bureau Established Relief Fund for Puerto Rican Farmers
The Puerto Rico Farm Bureau has established the Puerto Rico Agricultural Relief Fund to help address the agricultural losses inflicted this past September by Hurricane Maria. The hurricane struck Puerto Rico head-on, devastating as much as 80 percent of the island’s farm production. Puerto Rico’s farm families are now facing enormous challenges rebuilding their farms. These include dairy and livestock …
USDA Designates 83 Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 83 counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by Hurricane Irma that occurred from Sept. 10 through Sept. 12, 2017. Those counties are: Appling Crisp Lee Stewart Atkinson Decatur Liberty Sumter Bacon Dodge Long Tattnall Baker Dooly Lowndes Taylor Ben Hill Echols McIntosh Telfair Berrien …