⛈️ Florida Hurricane Relief Resources

Guest Post by Nicole Kirchhoff | This is a public post and can be shared with non-AIE members.

Wow – what a long two weeks we farmers have had. I have been actively trying to coordinate and help via the Fl.Aqua Facebook community page, but want to make sure everyone gets the resources. So here is a catch up…

Attention Farmers

Those with immediate needs (generators, fuel, blowers, pumps, power, etc) DM me.

FDACS and Ag commissioner Wilton Simpson office deputy is collecting needs. I need to know:

• Name of company
• Their name or contact person name
• Address
• County
• Phone number
• Summary of need

I know we are all very strong farmers who don’t like to be “the victims,” but we are a community that help each other, happy to help each other. You would do it for others! Don’t be bashful about asking for help. We have already had over 10 farmers reach out for anything from tarps/covers to pumps to generator fuel access. Don’t be shy.

We are coordinating gas deliveries and locations of available gas for those in Tampa, Sarasota, Bradenton, etc. David Boozer of the Florida Tropical Fish Farmers Association was tasked with coordinating who needs what for their farm generators.

FPL has stated they will get most of Florida back online by Thursday unless you or your area was impacted directly but the tornadoes.

Post-storm, we will hopefully work on something to get us all whole again. Don’t forget to take good records of expenses, repairable and broken equipment, animal/plant loss, etc.

Hurricane Resources for Farmers

The Florida Farm Bureau has been collecting all relevant hurricane resources for farmers on this page and will keep it updated. Just yesterday, FEMA finally listed Hurricane Milton and the disaster impacted counties. https://floridafarmbureau.org/hurricane-milton-resources/

Free Internet

Starlink is offering free internet to all those in hurricane impacted locations until the end of the year. You just need to buy a router. I have Starlink at my farm and never lost internet, so I could see my alarms, cameras, etc. one less thing to stress about while we were out of power and in the thick of it. https://www.starlink.com

Recovery Loan Program

Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) launched the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program for Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Milton to apply for interest-free loans. Loans can be used by eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property – including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings – or to remove vegetative debris. Learn More

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