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FLORIDA - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has allocated $675.9 million in disaster relief for Florida farmers impacted by hurricanes over the past two years.
This aid package is designed to help producers recover from the damages caused by Hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Helene, and Milton.
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke L. Rollins, signed a block grant agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
This agreement will allow FDACS to distribute the funds, which will cover infrastructure repairs, citrus and timber losses, as well as direct market losses.
The funding is part of the larger $30 billion disaster assistance effort authorized by the American Relief Act of 2025, aimed at assisting states across the country.
Rollins expressed concern over the severe economic toll on Florida’s agricultural sector, which has faced back-to-back hurricanes.
She praised the Trump administration's continued support for farmers, emphasizing the importance of ensuring they have the resources needed to continue providing a stable food supply.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson also welcomed the relief, stating that it was a crucial step for the state’s agricultural recovery.
He highlighted the strategic importance of food production, not just for Florida’s economy, but for national security.
Florida’s agricultural industry generates over $182.6 billion annually, supporting more than 2.5 million jobs.
The state remains a major producer of citrus, vegetables, sugarcane, cattle, and floriculture, with 44,400 farms spanning nearly 9.7 million acres of land.