USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has approved $99.3 million for 37 projects in 23 counties through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) to help state and local governments recover from Hurricane Irma. The storm caused widespread damage to buildings, water infrastructure and major erosion when it tore through parts of Florida in September of 2017. Workers have been removing sediment, trees and debris from waterways and stabilizing banks …
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available in Florida
Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Irma The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Florida as a result of Hurricane Irma on Sept. 9 – 12, 2017. The loans are available in the following …
FSA’s Risk Mitigation Program Pays Off After Irma for Florida Shellfish Hatchery
Bay Shellfish Company is a commercial hatchery in Florida, located south of the Tampa Bay area on Terra Ceia Island. The operation, opened in 1996, is the first commercial hatchery to produce commercial oyster seed in the state. “We produce shellfish for research, restoration and commercial production,” said Curtis Hemmel, owner and operator of Bay Shellfish Company. Hemmel’s company isNAP …
Ag Commissioner Candidates Eye Disaster Plans
After farmers and ranchers sustained heavy damage in Hurricane Irma, candidates for state agriculture commissioner are offering a variety of approaches to make Florida’s food chain more resilient before future natural disasters. Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, wants the state to expand on a temporary relief package for farmers that the Legislature rolled out after Hurricane Irma. Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-North …
Agri View: Agriculture Losses from 2017 Storms
Everett Griner talks about the three major storm impacting the United States in 2017 in today’s Agri View. Damage was extensive with all three storms. Everett looks back at some of the agriculture losses. Agriculture Losses from 2017 Storms It’s in the books now. They are closed for the year on agriculture. For 2017. And, it is good that they …
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 …
Farmers, Back-to-School Shoppers to Get Tax Breaks
A tax package that provides relief for farmers and property owners impacted by Hurricane Irma, while offering sales-tax breaks at the start of the school year and hurricane season, was approved by the House and Senate in a rare Sunday conclusion to the legislative session. Gov. Rick Scott’s office didn’t indicate Sunday if he would sign the package, which totals …
Help for Florida Farmers Advancing in Senate
Farmers and other parts of Florida’s agriculture industry could receive about $75 million in post-Hurricane Irma assistance from the state next year under a measure moving forward in the Senate. The Senate Finance and Tax Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday unanimously backed the proposal (SB 1608) by Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring. The proposal, in part, would reduce property assessments …
Seven Counties in Florida Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Madison and Washington counties in Florida as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by Hurricane Irma that occurred from Sept. 9, 2017, through Sept. 12, 2017. Farmers and ranchers in the contiguous counties of Bay, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Lafayette, …
Scott Urges Senate to Immediately Pass Relief Package
Florida Governor Rick Scott sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations this week urging the Senate to act immediately and pass a significant Hurricane Irma and Maria disaster relief package. In the letter, Scott thanked the House for its work to pass a relief package prior to Christmas which supports Florida citrus and provides critical funding for …