By Jamie Martin
Florida has extended the deadline for agricultural producers to apply for disaster assistance aimed at helping operations recover from the impacts of the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons.
Through the Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief Program, more than $600 million is available to support producers affected by hurricane-related damage and economic losses. The new application deadline is January 1, 2027.
The program provides financial assistance for several types of losses commonly experienced after major storms. Eligible producers may receive support for damaged farm infrastructure, market losses, citrus industry impacts, future economic losses, and timber damage.
“Florida’s farmers are self-reliant and do not like to ask for help, but we encourage any producers who suffered damage or loss to apply to the Block Grant Disaster Relief Program. We have staff standing by to support producers with the application process and have streamlined the program to ensure that impacted producers can receive grant funding as quickly as possible,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
He added, “Extending the application deadline allows more producers to access this critical assistance to rebuild and recover. Food security is a national security issue, and we will continue to do everything we can to support the men and women who feed our state and nation.”
Officials say the extension will allow more producers to access the resources needed to rebuild their operations and continue supplying food, fiber, and other agricultural products.
Since applications first opened, over 600 producers have been approved for nearly $100 million in grant funding. Program administrators have also worked to streamline the application process and provide support to help producers complete the required paperwork.
Florida was the first state to establish an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture to operate this disaster block grant program. The federal funding is intended to strengthen agricultural recovery across areas affected by severe storms.
Eligible applicants include agricultural producers located in disaster-designated counties who have ownership interests or financial risk in affected commodities.
Applications will be reviewed in the order they receive. Funding will be awarded while resources remain available and until January 1, 2027, deadline.
Producers are encouraged to gather documentation, review eligibility requirements, and submit complete applications as early as possible. The relief program is expected to play an important role in helping agricultural businesses restore operations, recover lost revenue, and improve resilience against future weather challenges.
For more information on the program, including eligibility and documentation requirements, is available at blockgrant.fdacs.gov.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-steve-baccon
Categories: National