Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Agricultural Producers Can Soon Apply for Over $600M in Hurricane Disaster Relief, Asks Federal Government to...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that beginning February 25, 2026, Florida's agricultural producers can apply for more than $600 million in disaster assistance for impacts from the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons. In addition, Commissioner Simpson is asking the federal government for approval to use Florida's disaster block grant program to immediately fund relief for agricultural producers impacted by the historic 2026 ice storm. Through the Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief Program, eligible agricultural producers can apply for grant funding to assist with infrastructure damage, market loss, citrus loss, and timber damage from recent hurricanes.

"I want to thank President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for their steadfast support for our farmers, ranchers, and producers," said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. "Florida's producers suffered over $3 billion in damages and losses during the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons. We've worked to make this funding available as quickly as possible to support the men and women who feed and sustain our state and nation. Our program is in place, and we stand ready to receive supplemental funding to address the devastating 2026 ice storm that impacted Florida. We can be a force multiplier to get assistance out as quickly as possible."

Producers are encouraged to begin preparing now by reviewing eligibility information and gathering required documentation to help prevent delays once the application period opens. To help producers prepare, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has established a centralized online information hub at FDACS.gov/BlockGrant with information regarding eligibility, documentation requirements, and application details.

Florida is the first state in the nation to finalize an agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement this newly authorized disaster block grant program. More than $600 million in federal funding represents approximately 35% of Florida's total agricultural losses and damage from the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons. Once the application period opens, applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. All completed applications must be submitted by August 25, 2026, or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.

The program will be 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.

Relief funding will assist eligible producers with:

• Infrastructure damage
• Market loss compensation
• Citrus-specific impacts, including infrastructure and future economic loss
• Timber damage

Additional information on the program, including eligibility and documentation requirements, is available at FDACS.gov/BlockGrant.

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.

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