Rinse and Repeat! Florida Growers Ready for More Hurricane Impacts
October 8, 2024 
This satellite view of major Hurricane Milton as it makes its way toward Florida. The storm is expected to hit the state with extensive damage from coast to coast.
Image courtesy of NOAA
The life of a Florida farmer comes with all the extras hurricane season can throw at them. Sometimes that includes dealing with multiple storms and their impacts. This hurricane season has delivered on that challenge. Less than two weeks after major Hurricane Helene struck, bringing widespread devastation, growers are now girding for another major strike — this time from Hurricane Milton. The projected path of Milton is taking it across higher population areas of the Sunshine State. Extreme impacts are expected. Among the wide swath are plenty of produce growing operations. For those still in recovery mode from Helene, Milton will add salt to the wound.
Florida’s main citrus production area was spared from Helene. Milton will be a different story. Given recent lessons learned the hard way from major hurricanes Irma (2017) and Ian (2022), Florida citrus growers know what to expect. “Florida citrus growers are preparing now for the severe impacts of Hurricane Milton,” says Matt Joyner, Executive VP and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. “While they can evacuate families and secure equipment, there is little we can do to prevent wind and floods from destroying groves.”
Ironically, the first USDA citrus crop forecast of the 2024-2025 season is scheduled to release later this week on Oct. 11. No doubt, the forthcoming estimates will be affected by Milton. Stay tuned.
A statement from the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association echoes that of Joyner. “With Hurricane Milton set to cross the Florida Peninsula this week, fruit and vegetable growers across the state have been preparing their operations for potential impacts, and most importantly, ensuring the needs of their workforce and families are met. Once the storm passes, and it is safe to do so, growers will work quickly to recover and resume normal operations. As communities across Florida complete their final preparations before landfall, we are praying for everyone’s safety and are grateful for the critical steps our members and emergency response partners with the state of Florida have already taken, and will continue to take, to protect our food supply.”
While hurricane preparedness and recovery are nothing new for Florida, the fact doesn’t make it any easier. Joyner is confident the local agriculture community will endure. “Florida growers are resilient, and I know they will weather this storm, as they have done so for centuries.”
Important Hurricane Milton Info and Recovery Resources for Florida Growers
Proper preparations ahead of the storm can help streamline the recovery process afterward. Here are some key resources to consider:
- Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program: Eligible Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by hurricanes can apply for interest-free loans up to $500,000.
- USDA Disaster Assistance Program At a Glance
- Farm Loan Discovery Tool
- Farm Service Agency (FSA) Locator
- Insurance Agent Locator
- Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP): USDA’s Farm Service Agency’s NAP provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters.
- Tree Assistance Program: The Tree Assistance Program (TAP) provides financial assistance to qualifying orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes and vines damaged by natural disasters.
- USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program: The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.
- UF/IFAS Disaster Work Log
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details come in.
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