Financial Help on the Way to Growers Hit by Idalia

Posted by Paul Rusnak|February 2, 2024

It’s been more than five months since Hurricane Idalia roared ashore on Florida’s Big Bend, leaving considerable damage in its wake. Initial estimates indicated up to more than $447 million in total ag losses and damages across Florida. For farmers still recovering from the storm, there is some good news — finally. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson recently announced approval of the first Hurricane Idalia recovery loan through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program.

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This complex of hoop houses in Lafayette County, FL, was decimated by major Hurricane Idalia.
Photo by Kelly Aue, UF/IFAS
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This drone view shows the extensive damage to this set of hoop houses in Lafayette County, FL, from Hurricane Idalia.
Photo by Kelly Aue, UF/IFAS
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These chicken houses in Suwannee County, FL, were ripped apart by Hurricane Idalia's winds.
Photo by Kelly Aue, UF/IFAS
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Drone view of flattened chicken houses in Suwannee County, FL, courtesy of Hurricane Idalia.
Photo by Kelly Aue, UF/IFAS
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Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel, center, talks with UF/IFAS personnel during a cleanup of Cedar Key. Cantore rode out the major hurricane and reported from the second floor of the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station in Cedar Key.
Photo courtesy of UF/IFAS Communications
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A volunteer uses a chain saw at the North Florida Research and Education Center -- Suwannee Valley after Hurricane Idalia.
Photo courtesy of UF/IFAS Communications

The announcement included details on the launch of two unique agricultural disaster recovery programs with more than $112 million in funding to help Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers rebuild and recover from Hurricane Idalia.

The wheels have been turning on this endeavor since late fall. During a special legislative session in November, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 1-C, which provided funding for and directed the department to launch critical recovery programs for impacted agricultural producers.

According to FDACS, more than 250 agriculture operations have started the process to apply for these programs.

The two disaster recovery programs are broken down as follows:

Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program

$75 million is available for low-interest or interest-free loans up to $500,000 for eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers that have experienced damage or destruction from Hurricane Idalia.
Loans may be used to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property, including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings, or to remove vegetative debris.
Interested producers can learn more or apply for this loan by clicking here.

Silviculture Recovery Program

$37.5 million is available to assist eligible timber landowners through cost-share grants in declared counties damaged from Hurricane Idalia with site preparation and tree planting activities.
Grants will be up to 75% of the costs for site preparation and tree planting costs with a maximum award of $250,000.
Interested producers can learn more or apply for this loan by clicking here.

For more information, visit fdacs.gov.

Paul Rusnak is the Senior Online Editor of American Vegetable Grower, American Fruit Grower, and Greenhouse Grower magazines, all Meister Media Worldwide brands. He is based in Northeast Florida. See all author stories here.