Southwest Florida farmers urged to apply for USDA relief

MOORE HAVEN, Fla. (WINK) — Federal programs are beginning to open for farmers impacted by January’s freeze that caused billions of dollars in agricultural losses across Florida.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency says the cold snap damaged crops across large parts of the state, especially in areas that typically do not experience freezing temperatures.

Justin Teuton, a district director with the USDA Farm Service Agency, said farmers in South Florida were particularly vulnerable because temperatures dropped much lower than they normally do in that region.

“Farmers south of the Interstate 4 corridor have really seen huge impacts because they don’t typically see those type colds,”  Teuton said.

State agriculture officials estimate the freeze caused more than $3.1 billion in losses statewide, impacting a wide range of crops, including sugarcane, citrus, strawberries, vegetables, and other specialty crops.

The USDA says the damage has been widespread across Florida agriculture, affecting everything from fruits and vegetables to cattle operations, where grazing land and forage were also damaged by the cold.

Several USDA programs are now available to help farmers recover from freeze-related damage.

One of the primary programs is the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), which helps farmers restore farmland after natural disasters.

The program can help producers remove damaged plants, bushes, or trees, repair irrigation systems, fix runoff damage caused by frost protection, and restore farmland so it can return to production.

“It allows us to help fund producers in a cost-share effort to get that farmland back to where it was prior to the damage,” Teuton said.

The program works through a cost-share system that helps cover part of the cost farmers face when repairing land damaged during the freeze.

Other programs may also be available depending on a farmer’s situation, including:

• Tree Assistance Program (TAP): helps replace trees, bushes and vines that were damaged or destroyed

• Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP): provides assistance for crops that were not covered by traditional crop insurance

• Emergency Loan Program: loans that can help farmers cover production costs, replace damaged property or reorganize farm operations after disasters

USDA officials say farmers impacted by the freeze should begin reviewing their options and preparing documentation as soon as possible.

“Go to farmers.gov, see what programs we have to offer, then contact your county office staff and make an appointment,” Teuton said.

Farmers are encouraged to gather documents such as crop records, leases, production history, and financial information.

Officials say bringing that information to an appointment with a local USDA service center can help determine eligibility and speed up the application process. Teuton says disaster assistance programs can be essential for helping farms stay in operation after major weather events. Many farms rely on a single growing season for income, and losing that crop can create major financial challenges.

“When you take away their entire income for a year, how are they going to survive the rest of the year?” Teuton said.

Teuton also said keeping farms operating is important not only for farmers but for the future of agricultural land, “If we don’t keep these farmers on the farm, this land will go into rooftops."

Farmers looking for assistance can contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office for more information.