With nearly $1 billion in agricultural damage from three hurricanes last year, Florida farmers are facing an uphill battle as federal relief remains out of reach. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is calling on state lawmakers to step in, requesting $50 million to support farmers through low- or no-interest loans to address hurricane-related losses.

The federal farm bill, last fully updated in 2018 and typically renewed every five years, has seen delays that disproportionately impact smaller farmers. Larger operations may have the resources or access to capital to weather such delays, but small farmers face immediate financial strain. “Without the farm bill, the people suffering the most are the small farmers,” Simpson emphasized after a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing.

Simpson’s proposed state funds would replenish a loan program established after Hurricane Idalia in August 2023, which has helped farmers rebuild damaged structures and restore vegetation. However, he acknowledged the state program cannot compare to the billions of dollars in disaster aid traditionally provided under the federal farm bill.

A partial extension of the farm bill last month, under the American Relief Act of 2025, allocated disaster funds to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, this funding must cover numerous disasters nationwide from 2023 and 2024, leaving Florida farmers waiting for much-needed relief.

In the meantime, Simpson has also urged state lawmakers to allocate funds for clearing hurricane-damaged forests in North Florida, where storms have left widespread destruction. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) estimated that hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton impacted over 104,000 acres of farmland, with losses to crops and livestock ranging from $402.3 million to $975.8 million.

Governor Ron DeSantis has called a special legislative session set to begin on January 27, urging lawmakers to address the agricultural industry’s significant disruption caused by these hurricanes. While some legislative leaders have expressed reservations about the timing, DeSantis insists that addressing the immediate needs of Florida’s farmers is critical.

During a previous special session after Hurricane Idalia, the state approved $75 million for the agricultural loan program and $37.5 million for timber owners. These funds have already made an impact, particularly in Hillsborough County, where strawberry growers anticipate a strong crop this year thanks to the program.

The hurricanes—Debby, Helene, and Milton—caused extensive damage across North and Central Florida, including rural regions, timberlands, and major citrus-growing areas. With federal aid uncertain, state leaders are now under pressure to deliver solutions to help Florida’s farmers recover and rebuild.

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(Image credit: Mike Exline/News Service of Florida)