(GFVGA) — At the end of February, Governor Kemp announced details surrounding the $347 million in federal block grant funds that the state has secured to combat the devastation incurred by Hurricane Michael. The state will began accepting applications for block grant funds. Georgia farmers and forest landowners in 95 eligible counties (see map below), who suffered losses to beef, dairy, …
Get Applications Ready for Georgia Block Grant Program
It was announced last week that applications for Farm Recovery Block Grants for Georgia farmers and forest landowners affected by Hurricane Michael will soon be accepted. According to Tyron Spearman, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) will begin accepting online applications for the $347 million in block grant funds on March 18, 2020. Georgia farmers and forest landowners will need …
Questions Remain Over Hurricane Timber Money
(NSF) — Florida’s timber industry remains amid tons of strewn trees from Hurricane Michael as talks continue over the distribution of a $380 million federal-recovery grant allocated in November for the 2018 storm. State officials expressed concern Tuesday that more than a quarter of the money may go unused as negotiations continue with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on eligibility …
Florida, Feds Still Working on Timber Money
(NSF) — Florida has its “foot on the gas pedal” to get federal money to timber growers who sustained massive damage when Hurricane Michael hit the Panhandle last year. But agreements are still being finalized, with no set timeline for the first payments to go out from a $380.7 million block grant. Franco Ripple, a spokesman for state Agriculture Commissioner …
GAC Members Address Policy Issues on Capitol Hill
Several members of the Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) recently took part in the GAC Washington Legislative Fly-In, where important issues impacting Georgia agribusinesses were discussed. Visits included agriculture policy advisers at the White House, leadership from USDA, members of the Georgia Congressional delegation as well as the UGA Ag Fellows who are interning with Georgia representatives. Some of the issues discussed while …
Georgia Ag Commissioner Black Gives Update on Disaster Assistance
Georgia farmers with damage from last September’s Hurricane Michael are still waiting to see exactly what type of disaster assistance will be available. Last week, during the Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day in Moultrie, Tyron Spearman was able to get an update from Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black.
Dale County, Alabama, Designated as a Primary Natural Disaster Area
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated Dale County, Alabama, as a primary natural disaster area. Producers who suffered losses caused significant rainfall, wind and flooding as a result of Hurricane Michael, that occurred Oct. 10-11, 2018, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) …
Members of Georgia Delegation Urge Timely, Effective Implementation of Disaster Relief Funds
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) wrote to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to encourage the Trump administration to work with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to ensure that farmers affected by Hurricane Michael receive needed aid as soon as possible. They applauded Secretary Perdue for his support of disaster aid legislation signed into …
Governor Ron DeSantis Awards First Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan for Agricultural Producers Following Hurricane Michael
(TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Office of Governor): Governor Ron DeSantis announced the Department of Economic Opportunity has awarded the first Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan for agricultural producers following Hurricane Michael to John P. Jordan Farm in Bascom, Florida. The Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan was activated to provide relief to Florida farmers whose crops were damaged by the storm. “Hurricane …
Reflecting on Hurricane Michael and UF/IFAS Extension’s Role in Recovery
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (UF/IFAS) — As each June brings a new hurricane season, the people of Florida begin to ready themselves for any storm that may target the state’s shorelines. Fresh in the minds of many this year, though, is Hurricane Michael, which struck the Panhandle with category 5 strength eight months ago and left many in recovery mode. This includes …