Ag operations that sustained freeze damage during the last weekend in January should take the Business Damage Assessment Survey.
The last weekend in January saw freezing temperatures sweep through The Sunshine State. Initial reports maintained there was no “significant widespread damage” to Florida citrus, but the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association issued an update that “stated that the freeze did more citrus damage that was originally indicated,” according to a Citrus Industry article. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for several Florida counties and urged ag producers with losses from the freezing temperatures to complete the survey. See the details below.
Freeze Damage Survey Details
DeSantis declared a state of emergency for Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia counties.
According to the article, he said, “The agriculture business in Florida is an integral part of the state’s economy, and we are going to do everything we can to help the farmers who were impacted by freezing temperatures. I am urging impacted businesses to complete the business damage assessment survey so we can help our farmers get back on their feet.” The survey results will be shared with federal, state and local agencies so that the need for relief can be determined and the distribution process started.
Florida ag operations that sustained freeze damage can find the survey here.