News release from Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam on Dec. 21, 2017:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TALLAHASSEE, Fla<\/strong>.\u2013Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today issued the following statement following the U.S. House of Representatives passing an $81 billion disaster spending bill, which includes $2.6 billion for agricultural assistance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cToday\u2019s vote is an important first step to get Florida\u2019s farmers, ranchers and growers, who suffered more than $2.5 billion damages from Hurricane Irma, long-awaited and desperately needed relief. Without this emergency assistance, Florida agriculture cannot fully recover from the unprecedented damage it suffered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI want to thank Representative Rooney, Representative Buchanan, Governor Rick Scott and the members of Florida\u2019s congressional delegation who supported this effort and fought for Florida agriculture over the last days, weeks and months. But even with today\u2019s vote, much work remains, and I will continue to work with leaders in Washington to make sure this emergency assistance becomes a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the wake of Hurricane Irma, Commissioner Putnam announced that Florida agriculture sustained more than $2.5 billion in damages. In weeks following Hurricane Irma, and again this week, Commissioner Putnam traveled to D.C. to discuss the agricultural damage and to request federal assistance with Florida\u2019s Congressional Delegation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n