TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced an extension on Thursday for Florida’s agricultural producers to apply for more than $600 million in disaster assistance for impacts from the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons. Florida producers now have until January 1, 2027, to apply for the Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief Program. Eligible agricultural producers can apply for grant funding to address infrastructure damage, market loss, citrus loss, and timber damage caused by recent hurricanes.
“Florida’s farmers are self-reliant and do not like to ask for help, but we encourage any producers who suffered damage or loss to apply to the Block Grant Disaster Relief Program. We have staff standing by to support producers with the application process and have streamlined the program to ensure that impacted producers can receive grant funding as quickly as possible,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “Extending the application deadline allows more producers to access this critical assistance to rebuild and recover. Food security is a national security issue, and we will continue to do everything we can to support the men and women who feed our state and nation.”
Background
Since the application window was launched, more than 600 producers have been approved for nearly $100 million in disaster relief grants. Before starting the application process, producers are encouraged to review eligibility information and gather required documentation. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has launched a centralized online information hub at blockgrant.fdacs.gov that provides information on eligibility, documentation requirements, and application details.
Florida was 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.
Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. All completed applications must be submitted by Jan. 1, 2027, 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.
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 blockgrant.fdacs.gov.
For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.