Hurricane Matthew Update
Florida Farm Bureau is coordinating with Senate, Congressional and agency staff to assist with disaster recovery efforts following Hurricane Matthew. Congressman Ted Yoho toured damage in his district last week and Congressional and Senate staff met with growers to discuss solutions for the myriad recovery needs of northeast Florida.
We appreciate our Farm Bureau family throughout the state who have offered assistance to those producers affected by the storm.
Farm Bureau members affected by the storm should prepare to pay for any expenses out-of-pocket and submit for reimbursement. Please keep detailed records of all information related to the storm such as photos documenting pre-and post- cleanup, invoices for any clean-up costs, crop losses, unfilled order requests that will result in loss of income and any other documentation that could help cover reimbursement.
The State Farm Service Agency office encourages producers to report any and all damage, crop or structural, to your local FSA office to assist with a speedy disaster declaration.
Producers can also report to and seek assistance from FEMA, who is also requesting damage cost estimates regardless of monetary assistance requests.
If loans are needed for lost income, disaster expenses, etc., commercial lenders and Farm Credit should be the first choice. However, if they are not able to meet your need fully or even partially, the FSA has encouraged farmers and ranchers to contact their local loan office:
Okeechobee Farm Loan Office – 450 NW Hwy 98, Okeechobee, FL 34972-4168 – (863) 763-3345 – Contact: Jennifer Brown, Farm Loan Officer Trainee
Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie
Farm Loan Manager for Okeechobee is located in Dade – Nancy Mundo – (305) 242-1197
Lake Farm Loan Office – 1725 David Walker Drive, Suite B, Tavares, FL 32778-5745 – (352) 742-7005 – Contact: Francis Arroyo, Farm Loan Officer
Brevard, Citrus, Hernando, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia
Farm Loan Manager for Lake is located in Hillsborough – Bronwyn Bethea-Rowland – (813) 752-1474
Alachua Farm Loan Office – 5709 NW 13th Street, Gainesville, FL 32653-2130 – (352) 373-5540 – Contact: Jim Boyd, Farm Loan Manager
Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, and Union
Farm Bureau will continue the dialogue with elected officials on disaster assistance and raising public awareness of the losses suffered as a result of the storm.
