U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins appeared today at Cooperative Producers Inc. in Felda, Florida, to meet with agricultural leaders and growers to announce additional U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assistance to help producers recover from Hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Helene and Milton. Rollins signed a block grant agreement with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to provide the assistance for Florida farmers.
In this agreement, FDACS is receiving $675.9 million in funding to administer a program that will cover infrastructure, citrus and timber losses in addition to direct market losses. This funding is part of the $30 billion disaster assistance relief effort authorized by the 2025 American Relief Act. USDA is working with 14 different states, including Florida, to develop and implement block grants to address the unique disaster recovery needs for each state. Florida was the first state Rollins chose to address.
“Everyone understands the citrus industry here is facing some significant challenges, and greening is a big part of that. Whatever USDA can do — whether bringing in more funding, more research, more partnership or just elevating the issue — I am here to be the greatest defender and advocate of that effort,” said Rollins.
“I want to thank President Trump, Secretary Brooke Rollins and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for recognizing the need for critical financial relief for our farmers, ranchers and growers. Florida’s producers have endured back-to-back devastating hurricane seasons, and this funding is a major victory that will help them rebuild, recover and continue feeding our state and nation,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
The program will be open to agricultural producers in counties designated as primary or contiguous disaster areas and who are U.S. citizens or legal entities with ownership or risk in affected commodities.
The funds will be administered by FDACS through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Disbursements will begin following USDA approval of a detailed work plan from FDACS. More information on program eligibility, application procedures and disbursement timelines will be released by FDACS as it becomes available.
Dan Richey, Florida Citrus Hall of Fame member and president of Riverfront Packing Company, was on hand for the Felda meeting with Rollins and described her as totally engaged. “She gets it. I see the commitment to growers,” said Richey. “We’re out here in arguably what feels like 100 degree temperatures, and she’s walking the groves and looking at the groves. Being here will leave an impact on her, and it certainly left a positive impact on us.”
Sources: USDA and FDACS
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