Florida farmers, ranchers and growers impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply for interest-free loans through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. Eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers can use loans to restore, repair or replace essential physical property — including fences, equipment, greenhouses and other buildings — or to remove vegetative debris. The loan availability was announced by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson on Sept. 27.
“Through the state-funded and administered Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program, we’re providing an immediate and efficient gap financing until additional federal resources are available to impacted producers,” Simpson said.
Impacted producers are encouraged to take photos of any property damage sustained from Hurricane Helene and to save all receipts for recovery efforts and supplies.
Interest-free loans up to $500,000 are available for eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers impacted by Hurricane Helene. Producers can learn more or apply here.
Producers that were previously awarded funds for damages sustained from Hurricane Debby may be eligible to apply for damage sustained from this disaster. An applicant may not receive more than one loan per storm, more than two loans per year or more than five loans in any three-year period.
During a special session in November 2023, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 1-C. The bill provided $75 million to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) for a revolving loan fund to help impacted agriculture and aquaculture producers recover from natural disasters.
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has started a study to estimate the agricultural impacts resulting fromHurricane Helene in the state of Florida. Results of a survey will be combined with a detailed baseline database on agricultural assets in Florida to estimate and communicate production losses.
Source: FDACS
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