Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, Legislative Leaders Launch Hurricane Idalia Recovery Programs for Florida Farmers

Dan CooperAgribusiness, Economy, Legislative, Specialty Crops

The Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and legislative leaders announced the launch of two agricultural disaster recovery programs with more than $112 million in funding to assist Florida farmers in rebuilding and recovering from Hurricane Idalia. Impacted agricultural producers can now apply for the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program and the Silviculture Recovery Program.  In …

Let the Plantings Begin: Vidalia Onion Growers Benefit from Lack of Tropical System

Web AdminGeorgia, Onion, Vidalia Onions

By Clint Thompson Georgia Vidalia onion producers dodged Hurricane Idalia went it passed through the Southeast on Aug. 30. That, so far, has turned out to be the area’s only threat of a tropical system this fall. It has been a positive development for growers who are on the verge of transplanting this year’s crop, says Chris Tyson, University of …

USDA FSA Hurricane Idalia Loan Informational Session

Web AdminUSDA

Would you like to meet with USDA Farm Service Agency staff regarding loan assistance for Hurricane Idalia Recovery? The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), in cooperation with UF/IFAS Extension will host an informational and Q&A session, please see details below. FSA offers a variety of financial assistance programs; this session will focus on FSA loan options. There will be bilingual staff available …

UF/IFAS Facilities Rebuild from Hurricane Idalia with Help from Volunteers, Emergency Response Crews

Web AdminAgriculture Research, Weather

When Hurricane Idalia barreled through the Big Bend region of Florida, Mike Allen was stuck in Gainesville, watching a beloved facility get slammed by storm surge while The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore reported from the facility’s second-story patio. Once the rain stopped and the wind subsided after the storm rushed through on Aug. 30, University of Florida Institute of Food …

Hurricane Idalia Shows Less Financial Impact than Ian and Irma

Web AdminAgribusiness, Weather

By Clint Thompson Hurricane Idalia’s financial impact on Florida is less than similar storms that have impacted the state; like Irma (2017) and Ian (2022). But that does not lessen the toll felt by specialty crop producers when the storm moved through North Florida a little less than a month ago. Christa Court, assistant professor in the food and resource economics department and director …

Hurricane Idalia: UF Economists Estimate Florida Agricultural Production Losses Top $78M

Web AdminFlorida, Weather

Early reports from agricultural operations in Florida’s Big Bend region indicate production losses caused by Hurricane Idalia fall in an estimated range of $78.8 million to $370.9 million, according to University of Florida (UF) economists. An estimated 3 million acres of agricultural lands were in the storm’s path, including row crops like peanuts and cotton, dairy and poultry farms, aquaculture …

Pecan Specialist: Idalia Impact ‘Pretty Severe’ on Southeast Georgia Crop

Web AdminGeorgia, Pecan, Weather

By Clint Thompson Southwest Georgia is not the only area in the state with a substantial amount of pecan acres. The southeastern part of the state has grown tremendously over the past two decade, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. That is why Hurricane Idalia’s trek through the region on Aug. 31 left a devastating impact on …

UF/IFAS Encourages Florida Growers to Share Hurricane Impacts

Web AdminHurricanes, Weather

Hurricane Idalia made landfall the morning of Aug. 30 near Keaton Beach, Florida, but the Category 3 storm’s northeastern route brought rain and high winds to coastal regions along the western peninsula and inland agricultural counties. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Economic Impact Analysis Program (EIAP) uses surveys after natural disasters, seeking information on …

North Florida Farm Infrastructure Takes Hit from Idalia

Web AdminHurricanes, Weather

By Clint Thompson North Florida agricultural leaders are still assessing damage left by Hurricane Idalia last week. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, provided an overview of what happened to the crops in the field and infrastructure on farms and in the different communities impacted by …

Hurricane Idalia Aftermath: North Florida Infrastructure Impacted Significantly

Web AdminFlorida

By Clint Thompson North Florida agricultural leaders are still assessing damage left by Hurricane Idalia last week. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, provided an overview of what happened to the crops in the field and infrastructure on farms and in the different communities impacted by …