Duval Times

Hurricane Helene, which struck Florida's Gulf Coast as a Category 4 storm, has caused significant damage to the region. In response, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, along with other Florida representatives, have called on U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for immediate assistance through state block grants to aid farmers in recovery efforts.

The request emphasizes the importance of Florida's agricultural sector in providing food security. "Your support for the State of Florida’s request would make a difference for our growers and will assist in their recovery to ensure they can continue to contribute to our food security and national security," stated the letter addressed to Secretary Vilsack.

The appeal was supported by several U.S. Representatives from Florida, including Mike Waltz, Kathy Castor, Cory Mills, Maxwell Frost, Matt Gaetz, Darren Soto, Bill Posey, Kat Cammack, Neal Dunn, Mario Díaz-Balart, Scott Franklin, John Rutherford, and Greg Steube.

The full text of the letter urges swift action: "We write in support of the State of Florida’s request for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue a Disaster Declaration for Florida’s counties that were impacted by Hurricane Helene... To support the growers and producers who were affected by Hurricane Helene...the expeditious approval of a Disaster Declaration is necessary."

This plea underscores the role that Florida's farms play in supplying fresh produce during winter and spring months when other states cannot.