With complaints that FEMA isn’t moving quickly enough to aid Floridians affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson just announced the first round of approved loans for hurricane victims.
Through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program, Commissioner Simpson said that within the first eight days after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, his office helped agriculture and aquaculture producers restore, repair, or replace essential physical property—including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings—or remove vegetative debris.
“Swift and meaningful action is crucial in aiding our farmers, ranchers, and growers in their recovery from Hurricane Helene, especially in a region that is still recovering from Idalia and Debby,” Simpson said. “We are very proud to have been able to get our first loan fully approved through the department’s Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program just eight days after the storm made landfall. We know our farmers are hurting and we are doing all we can on the state level to make up for serious federal negligence.”
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. Specific details on the application process are available on the program’s webpage. 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 Helene.
Loans may be used to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property, including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings, or to remove vegetative debris.
During a special legislative session in November of 2023, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 1-C, which provided $75 million to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for a revolving loan fund to support impacted agriculture and aquaculture producers to recover from natural disasters.
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