See tips for preparing for hurricane season and the impact assessment process for those in the Florida agriculture industry.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season starts June 1st, and though the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecast a below-average hurricane season, it does not mean Florida ag operators can relax. “Even one storm can have extreme impacts for those in the affected areas,” advised a UF/IFAS blog article. “Preparation for the upcoming hurricane season is critical, and the best time remains now to ensure preparedness for the wide range of impacts that a hurricane can have. This includes preparing for the damages and losses that may affect Florida’s agricultural industries,” the article advised. See tips below from the article for preparing for any hurricanes this season by preparing for the impact assessment process.
Tips for Preparing for the Impact Assessment Process
The article shared that “Preparation for potential disaster damage and loss assessments should begin now, before a storm occurs. Producers should secure a thorough and complete record of all important farm records. This includes business records, insurance information, and visual documentation of the farm and equipment as it exists now. It is good to have multiple copies of this information, both physical and digital, and make sure they are stored in secure locations.“
Additional tips to prepare for the impact assessment process from the article include:
- “Before doing anything, ensure you, your family, individuals involved with your farm operation, and your animals are safe and secure. If you need farm assistance, the Florida State Agricultural Response Team (SART) coordinates large animal response and rescue operations as well as efforts to address other unmet agricultural needs across the state in the aftermath of a storm.
- Second, assess and document all losses and damages experienced by your operation. Take pictures of everything with time and location stamps enabled and contact the necessary organizations (e.g., your insurance office, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency [USDA FSA], USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service [USDA-NRCS], etc.) that might need to visit or receive this documentation BEFORE any clean up or repair efforts begin. Afterward, thoroughly document all clean-up and repair work that follows (even if you complete it yourself).
- Finally, report your experiences to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency and the UF/IFAS EIAP. These groups are both formally and informally involved in various decision-making processes related to agricultural response, relief, and recovery when disasters strike Florida.”
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.