Florida Prepares To Distribute Disaster Relief Funds

The state of Florida has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the distribution of $380.7 million in block grant funding to Florida timber growers for the damage caused by Hurricane Michael.  The agreement covers all types of timber producers as well as farmers who have damaged irrigation systems.

The October 2018 Category 5 hurricane tore through the Florida Panhandle, Southeast Georgia, and Southwest Alabama.  According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the timber industry lost $1.3 billion when more than 550 million trees, weighing 72 million tons, were damaged.  Timber is the leading industry in the region.

A $3 billion federal disaster assistance package signed into law in 2019 made the grants available to counties impacted by natural disasters.  In March, Georgia began accepting applications from eligible landowners and farmers for its $347 million block grant program.  However, a dispute between Florida officials and the USDA over payment limits caused a delay in implementing the program in the Sunshine State.

State officials will work with the USDA to create a plan to distribute the funds.  Florida forest landowners impacted by Hurricane Michael are advised to gather documentation and evidence of damage for submission and apply to the USDA Emergency Forest Restoration Program.  The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Forest Service and the Florida Division of Emergency Management will together administer the funds.  Funds may be distributed as soon as this fall.