Secretary Rollins Tours Citrus Grove, Announces $675 Million in Disaster Relief for Florida Agricultural Producers
FELDA, Fla. – Florida citrus growers welcomed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins to Southwest Florida on Monday, July 21, where she toured CPI Groves and announced $675 million in disaster relief block grant funding to support Florida’s agriculture industry, including Florida’s iconic citrus sector. Secretary Rollins was joined by Florida citrus growers and industry leaders at CPI’s headquarters in Felda.
“Florida’s citrus growers are grateful to President Trump, Secretary Rollins and our federal and state allies for supporting the revitalization of our industry,” said Kevin Koppelman, president of Florida Citrus Mutual. “From citrus greening to hurricanes, our industry has faced unprecedented challenges. We remain committed to rebuilding a resilient, sustainable future for Florida citrus.”
Secretary Rollins’ visit highlights the growing federal support for Florida’s agriculture industry, including critical research and disaster relief funds that will help eligible citrus growers address crop-specific challenges and economic losses, empowering growers to recover and protect the long-term sustainability of Florida’s signature crop.
“Secretary Rollins’ announcement of $675 million in disaster relief block grant funding is just the support Florida agriculture needs, and especially the targeted relief our citrus growers need as they work to overcome today’s challenges and strengthen the infrastructure of the state’s citrus industry in the years to come,” said Matt Joyner, executive vice president and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual.
Secretary Rollins’ visit and announcement of $675 million in disaster relief for Florida agricultural producers comes just weeks after President Trump signed the One Big, Beautiful Bill into law on July 4. This America First legislation includes measures to strengthen Florida’s citrus industry by providing a long-term extension of the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program through 2031, funding critical research to fight Huanglongbing (citrus greening) and other pests and diseases that threaten citrus crops. The legislation also provides nationwide support for specialty crop producers, including citrus growers, through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, which will provide $85 million in 2025 and $100 million in 2026. These funds support projects that mitigate pests and diseases, develop new crop varieties, promote sustainability and increase market access.
In addition to the One Big, Beautiful Bill and today’s announcement of disaster relief funding, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced on Wednesday, July 9, the availability of more than $16 billion in assistance through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) for agricultural producers who experienced eligible crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024. SDRP will complement the state’s block grant program announced today.
The $675 million in disaster relief announced today mirrors similar block grant assistance Florida’s citrus growers received through the Florida Citrus Block Grant Program in 2019 following Hurricane Irma. That program quickly and efficiently delivered $340 million in critical relief, helping citrus growers who suffered damages with the resources they needed to sustain their operations and aid the industry’s recovery.
Despite the challenges that Florida’s citrus industry has faced with hurricanes, freezes and the impacts of citrus greening, it remains an iconic symbol of the Sunshine State and a strong contributor to its economy. The industry generates an annual economic impact of $6.9 billion and supports more than 32,000 jobs. Floridians rely on this industry to support our food supply, national security, green spaces and local jobs.
Provided by Florida Citrus Mutual