USDA Announces Block Grants For Hurricane Damage

In November, the USDA announced $800 million in block grants to Florida, Georgia, and Alabama to provide assistance to landowners in disaster-designated areas affected by hurricanes Michael and Florence.

While the individual states will determine how the funds are distributed, block grant funding is intended to cover losses for timber, poultry, cattle, and necessary expenses related to losses of horticultural crops and present value losses associated with pecan production.

Florida Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried said the funds will be used to compensate timber producers for lost value of their trees damaged by Hurricane Michael in 2018.  The state departments of agriculture in Georgia and Alabama are still working out the details on how to allot the funding in their states.

Click here for more information on the Florida program.  https://www.fdacs.gov/News-Events/Press-Releases/2019-Press-Releases/Commissioner-Nikki-Fried-Announces-380-Million-in-USDA-Disaster-Relief-for-Florida

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