As Florida citrus growers deal with the aftermath of freezes, they are at long last able to apply for block grants for damages incurred by 2023 and 2024 hurricanes. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) provided details on citrus freeze damage and began accepting applications for the Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief Program.
FREEZE DAMAGE
FDACS released preliminary estimates of agriculture losses from winter storms Ezra and Gianna. Ezra occurred Dec. 30, 2025, to Jan. 1, 2026. Gianna occurred Jan. 26 to Feb. 4, 2026. Estimated citrus damage includes:
- $85.2 million in fruit damage
- $327.38 million in tree damage
- $41.48 million in individual tree protective infrastructure damage
- $220.56 million in future production losses
- $674.66 million in total citrus damage
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has asked the federal government for approval to use Florida’s disaster block grant program to immediately fund relief for agricultural producers impacted by the freezes.
HURRICANE RELIEF
Applications officially opened Feb. 25 for the Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief Program. Agricultural producers can now apply for more than $600 million in disaster assistance for impacts from the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons, FDACS announced. Eligible agricultural producers can apply for grant funding to assist with infrastructure damage, market loss, citrus loss and timber damage.
Before starting the application process, producers are encouraged to review eligibility information and gather required documentation to help prevent delays. FDACS has launched a centralized online information hub here. See specific information for citrus losses, including the application process, here.
Florida was the first state to finalize an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to implement this newly authorized disaster block grant program. The more than $600 million in federal funding available for Florida represents approximately 35% of the state’s total agricultural losses and damage from the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons.
Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. All completed applications must be submitted by Aug. 25 or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
The program is open to agricultural producers located in counties designated as primary or contiguous disaster areas who are U.S. citizens or legal entities with ownership or risk in affected commodities.
Source: FDACS
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