Florida Citrus Mutual recently hosted a grower information meeting and lunch at Kenny Sanders barn and grove in Zolfo Springs on Dec. 10. Matt Joyner, Mutual’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, welcomed attendees and provided some updates on several key issues.
Joyner said one of the most common questions he has been getting lately from growers is: What’s happening with the Supplemental Disaster Relief Block Grant of $675 million that was announced for Florida by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) last July?
These federal dollars are to be administered through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. According to Joyner, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has been working with USDA to put together a work plan for the block grant program.
“I am told that we are within weeks of having that work plan approved by USDA,” said Joyner on Dec. 10. “By the first of the year, we are hopeful the application website will be open for the growers to begin applying for that assistance.
“I can tell you, despite the government shutdown, which slowed the progress of getting all this put together, Commissioner Simpson’s office was working tirelessly to move this process along. They never missed a beat putting together applications and processing procedures. So when USDA finalizes and approves the agreement, the department is ready to hit the ground running to get aid out to growers. We are thankful to the commissioner and his office for all the work they’ve been doing on this.”
Share this Post