10 Tampa Bay | Florida agriculture industry hit hard by recent hurricanes, state seeks federal help @10TampaBay | Uploaded October 2024 | Updated October 2024, 1 hour ago.
The state of Florida is getting a better idea of how much recent hurricanes are affecting farmers and so far, it's projected to be in the billions of dollars.
For decades in Hillsborough County, Hinton Farms Produce Inc. has remained a staple for its strawberries.
Its work is more important now after Hurricane Milton swept through acres of fields.
"Right away, we could see that we had damage from both water and wind, and we had a lot of flooded fields," said Jake Raburn of the farm.
The impact has left empty holes on beds where the storm washed out plants.
The farm is just one of several in Florida that have been damaged from recent hurricanes, which also include Helene and Debby, along with Idalia last year.
There are efforts from state leaders to get more federal help for farmers.
“When you talk about $2.5 to $3 billion in destruction, you’re talking about infrastructure, you’re talking about 18 to 36 months just to get back on your feet,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
MORE: wtsp.com/article/news/regional/florida/florida-agriculture-impacted-hurricane-milton-helene-debby/67-e53e911b-4b42-4329-8001-e226e68a83fa
The state of Florida is getting a better idea of how much recent hurricanes are affecting farmers and so far, it's projected to be in the billions of dollars.
For decades in Hillsborough County, Hinton Farms Produce Inc. has remained a staple for its strawberries.
Its work is more important now after Hurricane Milton swept through acres of fields.
"Right away, we could see that we had damage from both water and wind, and we had a lot of flooded fields," said Jake Raburn of the farm.
The impact has left empty holes on beds where the storm washed out plants.
The farm is just one of several in Florida that have been damaged from recent hurricanes, which also include Helene and Debby, along with Idalia last year.
There are efforts from state leaders to get more federal help for farmers.
“When you talk about $2.5 to $3 billion in destruction, you’re talking about infrastructure, you’re talking about 18 to 36 months just to get back on your feet,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
MORE: wtsp.com/article/news/regional/florida/florida-agriculture-impacted-hurricane-milton-helene-debby/67-e53e911b-4b42-4329-8001-e226e68a83fa
