Flood
USDA Under Secretary Richard Fordyce says USDA’s new phase of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program expands eligibility, requires in-person enrollment and targets losses from the 2023 and 2024 weather disasters.
The third round of disaster aid payments through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program is the largest amount appropriated by Congress. USDA Deputy Undersecretary Brooke Appleton says those payments are being prepared now.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins testified in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, fielding questions on everything from USDA’s bold budget cuts and frozen funding to the fate of the nearly $21 billion in disaster aid.
While the majority of Salinas Valley acreage was not greatly affected by two rounds of atmospheric rivers and floods, some growers are leveraging other growing regions to ensure continuity of supply.
“Farmers in the Salinas Valley were picking up the pieces from January’s flood event when hit by the March storm and subsequent flooding,” said Chris Valadez, Grower-Shipper Association of Central California.
Western Growers and California Farm Bureau are praising California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to lift regulations, allowing floodwater to recharge aquifers during the ongoing weather crisis across the Golden State.
The California Fresh Fruit Association has applauded a 35% water allocation, which was previously 0%, but is emphasizing the need for storage, management and infrastructure improvement.
Economists have confirmed that Florida citrus crops sustained the most extensive hurricane damages, estimated at over $247 million, in a study of Hurricane Ian’s impacts to Florida agriculture.
The 4,200,000 square feet of facilities in the Salinas Valley are an average 42 years old and are in desperate need of updates, according to the CEO of Growers Ice, a post-harvest real estate company.
From flooding to mudslides, an atmospheric river produced rain that wreaked havoc on agriculture and infrastructure in the state. One of the hardest-hit areas is the Salinas Valley, a large lettuce production area.
Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for eight counties as a series of winter storms began impacting much of the state with high winds, damaging rain and heavy snowfall.
From fresh berries to lettuce, what we now know about potential California crop losses from flooding
California farmers are facing another round of flooding, with fields still bearing scars from January’s floods. An area known for production of fresh berries and lettuce is expected to now have a larger loss.
“For the farms that were flooded, this catastrophe hit at the worst possible time. Farmers had borrowed money to prepare the fields and were weeks away from beginning to harvest,” said CSC’s Rick Tomlinson.
While hoping to inspire others to give generously, the California-based companies have provided funds to local nonprofits that are working to meet thousands of affected residents’ needs.
This year’s U.S. Atlantic hurricane season is officially the most expensive ever.
Florida Orange Crop Seen Plunging to 71-Year Low After Irma
Florida growers set to collect smallest crop since 1945.
The outlook is good for the California strawberry crop despite statewide storm damage, says the California Strawberry Commission.
The USDA designated four counties and 10 contiguous counties as natural disaster areas. Farmers in these areas may be eligible for emergency loans and other assistance.
The retailer has partnered with the American Red Cross to assist in disaster relief efforts in Southern California.
When Tropical Storm Hilary hit Southern California, Palm Springs received nearly 50% of its yearly rainfall in a matter of hours. While the deluge caused flooding, one area farmer is cautiously optimistic.