Duval Times

Hurricanes Helene and Milton have caused extensive damage across Florida, with the state's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services estimating losses between $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion in crops and infrastructure. In response, the State of Florida has requested federal agriculture disaster designations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support affected counties.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, U.S. Representative Scott Franklin, and several colleagues have addressed a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack urging immediate aid for Florida's agricultural producers impacted by these storms.

"These back-to-back major hurricanes have decimated Florida agriculture, our state’s second largest industry," reads part of the letter signed by Rubio, Franklin, and others including Representatives Kat Cammack, Anna Paulina Luna, Neal Dunn, Brian Mast, Gus Bilirakis, Mario Díaz-Balart, Laurel Lee, Michael Waltz, María Elvira Salazar among others.

The letter highlights the need for block grants similar to those provided after Hurricane Irma in 2018 which were delivered effectively through a partnership between USDA and Florida. It argues that block grants expedite disbursement of funds compared to creating new disaster programs each time Congress appropriates funds.

Further emphasis is placed on the challenges faced by Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices in delivering assistance efficiently due to inadequate staffing levels necessary for managing disaster-based programs unique to Florida's specialty crops.

The legislators also address crop insurance options in their communication with USDA suggesting improvements alongside ongoing efforts related to the 2024 Farm Bill passed by the House Committee on Agriculture earlier this year.

They conclude with specific requests for information from USDA including policy statements regarding block grant utilization within disaster-based programs along with updates on staffing requirements at FSA county offices in Florida among other details expected no later than November 29th.

"As Members of Congress," they assert towards closure "it is our responsibility to work with USDA best assist producers who feed our nation."