Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that more than $1 million in Hurricane Idalia recovery loans have been approved for Florida farmers through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. The program, launched less than a month ago, aims to make interest-free loans available to agricultural and aquaculture producers who have experienced damage from a declared natural disaster.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that more than $1 million in Hurricane Idalia recovery loans have been approved for Florida farmers through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. The program, launched less than a month ago, aims to make interest-free loans available to agricultural and aquaculture producers who have experienced damage from a declared natural disaster.

“Being able to approve over $1 million in recovery loans to our hardworking farmers in less than a month from the program’s inception is a tremendous step in our continuous efforts to support our agriculture community,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “This progress would not be possible without our dedicated staff at the department and the support from Governor Ron DeSantis, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, House Speaker Paul Renner, President-Designate Ben Albritton, Senator Corey Simon, Representative Jason Shoaf, and the entire Florida Legislature.”

On January 16, 2024, Commissioner Wilton Simpson and legislative leaders announced the launch of two first-of-their-kind agricultural disaster recovery programs with over $112 million in funding to help Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers rebuild and recover from Hurricane Idalia. One week later, Commissioner Simpson announced the approval of the first Hurricane Idalia recovery loan through the department’s Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program.

In September, Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the department’s estimate of nearly $450 million in losses and damage to Florida agriculture from Hurricane Idalia. During a special legislative session in November of 2023, 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.

Impacted agricultural producers can apply for or learn more about the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program and the Silviculture Recovery Program.

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 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 here.

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.

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