By STAFF REPORTS
Commissioner Wilton Simpson Launches Loan Program for Florida Farmers Impacted by Hurricane Isaias
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that Florida farmers, ranchers and growers impacted by Hurricane Isaias can now apply for interest-free loans through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program.
Eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers can apply for loans of up to $500,000 to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property, including fences, equipment, greenhouses and other buildings, or to remove debris or restock aquaculture.
“Delivering immediate financial support to agricultural producers impacted by Hurricane Isaias is a critical first step to get them back on their feet,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “The Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program provides a start with immediate financial relief, ensuring that Florida’s farmers and ranchers begin to rebuild their buildings and infrastructure.”
Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program
Interest-free loans up to $500,000 for eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers that have experienced damage or destruction from Hurricane Isaias.
Loans may be used to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property, including fences, equipment, greenhouses and other buildings, or to remove vegetative debris.
The damaged property must be located in Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla or Washington counties. Impacted producers are encouraged to take photos of any property damage sustained and to save all receipts for recovery efforts and supplies. Specific details on the application process are available on the program’s webpage.
UF leads regional effort to turn fallow winter acres into economic opportunity
The University of Florida (UF) will lead a multi-state, multidisciplinary team to promote year-round agricultural operations in the Southeast.
Funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA), a $9.99 million grant will incorporate universities, farmers, ranchers, commodity groups, non-profits and government agencies in the effort.
Their project, led by UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and dubbed the Conservation Hub for Economic Empowerment of Rural Stakeholders (CHEERS), is exploring and removing barriers preventing farmers from engaging in integrated crop and livestock systems and other winter cropping systems such as oilseed crops and grain crops.
Agriculture in the southeastern United States generates more than $55 billion each year, but it is capable of much more. In Florida, Georgia and Alabama alone, 4.1 million acres of row crops grow during the summer, but 95% of that land remains fallow during the winter.
“This region offers some of the best climate conditions for growing winter crops, yet there are millions of acres that are underutilized,” said CHEERS project director Jose Dubeux, UF/IFAS professor of forage agronomy. “Putting it to use year-round can promote economic development and provide positive benefits to the environment.”
Conservation Florida Appoints Four New Members to Board of Directors
ORLANDO, Fla. — Conservation Florida is proud to appoint four new members to the nonprofit’s Board of Directors: Get Up & Go Founder & CEO Justin Buzzi, Bergeron Everglades Foundation Vice President and Executive Director Diamond Rose Bergeron, Uncle Matt’s Organic Founder and CEO Matt McLean and University of North Florida Adjunct Professor Daniel Button.
“We are so honored to have Justin, Diamond, Matt, and Daniel join the Conservation Florida board,” said Conservation Florida Board Chair Justin Beck. “They all have deep connections to Florida’s natural landscapes, both personally and professionally. Having them as part of our board furthers our already stellar leadership and provides additional expertise that will allow us to continue our critical mission of preserving Florida’s wild places.”
“What excites me most about welcoming Justin, Diamond, Matt and Daniel to Conservation Florida’s Board of Directors is that they’re Floridians who genuinely care about our mission and the future of this state,” said Conservation Florida CEO Traci Deen. “They understand what makes Florida special because they’ve experienced it firsthand, and they share our commitment to conserving our water, wildlife, and wild places for Floridians today, and to come.”
