FLORIDA – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has signed a disaster declaration for Florida, unlocking federal aid for farmers grappling with over $3.1 billion in losses from a historic winter freeze that devastated key crops like sugarcane, citrus, and strawberries.
State Rep. Kat Cammack joined U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins Wednesday as Rollins signed the disaster declaration for Florida counties affected by a historic winter freeze earlier this year.
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The declaration comes after a bipartisan push from Florida’s congressional delegation urging the USDA to provide relief for farmers and producers hit by the late-January, early-February freeze. In a letter to the administration, members of the delegation stressed the urgency of deploying disaster assistance and called on USDA and Congress to ensure adequate funding to help producers recover.
Preliminary estimates from the USDA and Consumer Services show more than $3.1 billion in agricultural losses statewide. Florida officials say the freeze caused major damage to sugarcane, citrus, strawberries and other key commodities.
Total estimated agricultural losses are as follows: Over $3.1 billion
- Sugarcane: $1,152,122,146
- Citrus: $674,660,336
- Strawberries: $306,965,897Sweet corn: $255,363,251
- Greenhouse and nursery: $240,000,000
- Tomatoes: $164,273,849
- Bell peppers: $108,380,389
- Potatoes: $79,065,000
- Blueberries: $78,512,400
- Watermelons: $65,437,343
- Squash: $24,522,275
- Cabbage: $21,800,280
Sugarcane, citrus, strawberries, sweet corn, greenhouse and nursery crops were hit the hardest.
USDA disaster declarations typically unlock federal assistance programs for producers, including emergency loans and other relief measures, though the declaration’s exact scope and timeline for aid were not detailed by officials