Florida Offers $500,000 in Interest-Free Farm Recovery Loans

Photo Credit: Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere at Colorado State University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

Florida agricultural and aquaculture producers impacted by Hurricane Isaias can now apply for interest-free recovery loans of up to $500,000 through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program.

Announced October 12 by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, the program provides funding to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property, including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings. Eligible uses also include removing debris and restocking aquaculture.

“Delivering immediate financial support to agricultural producers impacted by Hurricane Isaias is a critical first step to get them back on their feet,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “The Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program provides a start with immediate financial relief, ensuring that Florida's farmers and ranchers begin to rebuild their buildings and infrastructure.”

Eligibility & Eligible Expenses

The damaged property must be located in one of the following Florida counties:

Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla, or Washington.

Eligible producers can use the interest-free loans to:

• Restore, repair, or replace essential physical property, including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings
• Remove vegetative debris
• Restock aquaculture

Producers are encouraged to photograph property damage and retain receipts for recovery work and supplies.

Loan Limits & Application Information

Producers who previously received funding for damage from other recent hurricanes may also be eligible to apply for assistance for damage caused by Hurricane Isaias.

However, applicants may not receive more than one loan per storm, more than two loans per year, or more than five loans in any three-year period.

Eligible producers can review application requirements and apply through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program website.

Funding for Disaster Recovery

During a special legislative session in November 2023, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 1-C, allocating $75 million to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for a revolving loan fund to help agricultural and aquaculture producers recover from natural disasters. In 2025, the Legislature provided an additional $40 million for the program.