Citrus growers suffering damage from Hurricane Irma can now apply for the Florida Citrus Recovery Grant Program.

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) recently announced the creation of the Florida Citrus Recovery Grant Program. Aimed at helping Florida citrus growers who suffered damages from Hurricane Irma, the program was detailed in a Citrus Industry article. See the details below.

Details of the Florida Citrus Recovery Grant Program

 

According to the article, “In order to qualify for the Florida Citrus Recovery Grant Program, producers must first apply for the Federal 2017 USDA Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (WHIP). Producers receiving assistance under either CRGP or WHIP must obtain federal crop insurance for crop years 2020 and 2021. Total payments from insurance, WHIP and the CRGP shall not exceed 85 percent of total losses identified by WHIP for insured applicants or 65 percent of total losses identified by WHIP for uninsured applicants.  Payments will be delivered through the state of Florida’s My Florida Marketplace vendor payment system via direct deposit or hard-copy check.”

There are three areas for funding, which are:

“Part 1: Tree Resets, Grove Rehabilitation and Irrigation System Repair/Replacement (estimated $129,000,000)

  • Crop production loss of at least 20 percent due to Hurricane Irma;
  • Up to $385.00/acre for tree reset, rehabilitate or replacement, irrigation and drainage system repair, etc.;
  • Available fall 2018; and,
  • Documentation required (see original article).”

“Part 2: Future Economic Losses (estimated $182,000,000)

  • Crop production loss of at least 40 percent due to Hurricane Irma;
  • Application with supporting documentation for Part 1 required;
  • Up to $745.50/acre for expected citrus losses for crop years in 2019 and 2020; and,
  • Up to three payments total:
  1. Fall 2018 site inspection – up to $372.75/acre
  2. Proof of purchase for 2020 crop insurance – up to $186.38/acre
  3. Proof of purchase for 2021 crop insurance – up to $186.38/acre”

“Part 3: Crop Insurance Purchase Requirements (subject to availability of funds and estimated $29,000,000)

  • Payment following crop insurance premiums for crop years 2022 and 2023
  • Up to two payments total:
  1. Proof of purchase for 2022 crop insurance – TBD and
  2. Proof of purchase for 2023 crop year insurance – TBD”

The application process is slated to begin September 10th; producers can apply at select the FSA locations or online at www.floridadisaster.org.

Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.