USDA holding hurricane recovery workshops in Florida

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will be hosting disaster assistance and hurricane recovery workshops in Florida over the next few weeks.

Representatives from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Farm Service Agency will present information about the help available for farmers and ranchers affected by Hurricane Irma, according to a news release.

Those presenting will address the assistance and programs available and the deadlines for applying for aid. The events are free and open to the public.

Information on dates and times of the various meetings can be found at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/Florida/state-events/index.

Citrus industry losses have been estimated at $760 million by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and losses to other specialty crops are projected to be $180 million.

The department has cautioned that even those totals are early and that actual figures will probably be higher.

“We’re likely to see even greater economic losses as we account for loss of future production and the cost to rebuild infrastructure,” Florida agriculture commissioner Adam Putnam said in the department’s preliminary report on the estimated damage. “We’re going to do everything within our power to support Florida agriculture as it recovers from Hurricane Irma’s devastation.”