Ag Producers of Hillsborough and Polk Counties Hurricane Relief Information

 Ag Producers -- Please see the relevant resources that may be available to assist with hurricane damage and recovery.

Report farm damages or crop/livestock losses to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Farm Service Agency (FSA), even if you are not currently enrolled in an FSA program. Information reported to the USDA FSA is used to determine eligibility for agricultural disaster declarations.

FSA  SERVICE CENTER OFFICE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FARM SERVICE AGENCY 201 S COLLINS ST STE 201 PLANT CITY, FL 33563 (800) 243-9912 (813) 752-1474 ext 2 (855) 563-2113 Fax Mailing Address: 201 S COLLINS ST,SUITE 201 PLANT CITY, FL 33563-5567

FSA  SERVICE CENTER OFFICE POLK COUNTY FARM SERVICE AGENCY 1700 HWY 17 S BARTOW, FL 33830 (800) 243-9912 (863) 533-2051 ext 2 (855) 475-8047 Fax Mailing Address: 1700 HWY 17 S STE 1 BARTOW, FL 33830-6630 Marcinda Kester County Executive Director (863) 533-2051 (855) 475-8047 fax marcinda.kester@usda.gov BRONWYN D BETHEA-ROWLAND Farm Loan Manager (813) 752-1474 x 2 bronwyn.bethearowland@usda.gov

Hillsborough County Damage Assessment - Hillsborough County property owners can use the form to report property loss or storm damages to the County by visiting HCFL.gov/DamageAssessment.

UF/IFAS Disaster Assessment Survey. This survey is used to estimate the state- and later county-level production losses for agricultural operations in Florida and results are communicated to state and federal agencies to inform their decision-making processes. Please report for the appropriate Hurricane

Hurricane Helene - go.ufl.edu/heleneagimpacts

Hurricane Milton - http://go.ufl.edu/MiltonAgImpacts

Use this USDA Tool to determine which program might apply to you Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool | Farmers.gov

Investigate agricultural disaster assistance programs that might be available through agencies such as:

•      USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

Farm Service Agency Emergency Loans Available – Click Here

•      USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

•      USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA)

•      Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

Emergency Livestock Assistance - To request critical assistance for your livestock and animals in urgent need, please access and complete the form then send to DAIOPSAssessment@FDACS.gov or call 863-993-5460 Form Link - https://forms.fdacs.gov/09027.pdf

FDACS Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program - Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Helene can now apply for interest-free loans through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program.

    Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program - Provides short-term, zero-interest working capital loans that are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer term recovery funding https://floridacommerce.my.site.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/

For more resources of Disaster Preparation, Response and Recovery, visit the following sources:

•      UF/IFAS Disaster Preparation & Recovery

•      Florida Extension Disaster Education Network

•      Florida Farm Bureau Helene Resources

•      Farm Bureau Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund - https://floridafarmbureau.org/hurricane-relief-fund-for- agriculture/