Hurricane Michael was the first Category 5 hurricane to hit the contiguous U.S. since Andrew in 1992. Making landfall in October of 2018 near Panama City, Florida, the storm rolled into Georgia in Seminole County, causing an immense amount of damage across a swathe of southwest Georgia. More than 400,000 residents were left without electricity.
The agricultural losses were huge. Estimates were somewhere around $2.5 billion – including more than $1 billion in forestry alone, with about 1 million acres of trees destroyed. Many pecan farms across the region were totally lost – a snapped pecan tree isn’t something that can be replanted and harvested the next year. Some 2 million chickens died in the storm and nearly a half billion dollars of vegetables were lost. A predicted bumper cotton crop estimated to be between $300-800 million was decimated.
In a region somewhat struggling economically, the storm was a true disaster, hitting the biggest industry by far.
A little more than a year later, farmers and others in the region are getting a $347 million boost. Governor Brian Kemp was joined by Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black at the capitol on Wednesday to announce the Georgia Farm Recovery Block Grant Program, after months of negotiations with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“Sixteen months after the devastation of Hurricane Michael, today is a big step forward for Georgia farmers and the people of southwest Georgia,” said Kemp. “Thanks to months of hard work from our congressional delegation, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and the leadership of USDA Secretary Perdue and President Trump, hardworking Georgians impacted by the storm will finally receive relief. The recovery process is far from over, but together, we will stand with those still reeling from Hurricane Michael’s impact and continue to support them on the road to recovery.”
The program aims to cover losses not already covered via insurance or existing USDA Farm Service Agency programs. Farmers interested in applying for the grants will have a three-week enrollment period starting Wednesday, March 18 and running through Wednesday, April 8. All applications will be online.
“While we recognize that the recovery aid won’t make Georgia farmers and farm families whole again, it is our hope that the Georgia Farm Recovery Block Grant will bring much relief and stability to our farming communities,” said Commissioner Black. “I commend every member of the Georgia Department of Agriculture team who has worked tirelessly since June 2019 to craft and finalize this program. I thank our federal partners and want the farm families of Georgia to know that we are here to serve them.”
Only 95 Georgia counties are eligible for the program, basically all counties below the Fall Line. A number of documents are required in the application process, from 2018 Property Tax Assessments to producer records for conception and breeding certified by a veterinarian or third party.
To apply or learn more about the program, visit farmrecovery.com
