U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has approved a disaster declaration in Florida after a cold front struck last month.
U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack attended an announcement at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) headquarters in Washington, where Rollins announced steps that should free up relief for farmers and agricultural producers. At least six other members of Florida’s congressional delegation were also in attendance, including U.S. Reps. Byron Donalds, Neal Dunn, Randy Fine, Scott Franklin, Greg Steube and Dan Webster.
Cammack, a Gainesville Republican, led a bipartisan letter signed by every member of Florida’s congressional delegation that asked Rollins to declare the unseasonable weather as a disaster.
“This is a national security issue. A nation that cannot feed itself, cannot secure itself. This freeze caused widespread, historic, and devastating damage. Farmers are facing wiped-out crops, lost income, and months or even years of recovery through no fault of their own. A USDA Disaster Declaration is essential to get relief on the ground now and protect Florida agriculture and America’s food supply from collapsing under this blow,” Cammack said.
The message from lawmakers followed up on a request from Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) estimates the freezes statewide caused $3.1 billion in agriculture losses, especially to producers of sugar cane ($1.15 billion), citrus ($674 million), strawberry ($307 million), sweet corn ($255 million), and greenhouses and nurseries ($240 million).
Last July, the USDA announced $675.9 million in assistance for Florida farmers impacted by hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Helene and Milton, delivered in a block grant to FDACS to cover losses to infrastructure and to citrus and timber producers.
The latest declaration doesn’t immediately trigger any financial support but begins the process of allowing federal aid.
