Florida's agricultural sector has received a significant boost with the approval of the first recovery loan for farmers affected by Hurricane Helene. This initiative is part of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program, which was announced by Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced a significant donation to Operation Outdoor Freedom, a program that provides recreational and rehabilitative opportunities for wounded veterans in Florida. The $100,000 donation is the largest in the program's history and was made by Dale McClellan and his family at a ceremony held at M&B Products in Tampa.

Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced the launch of a new Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program aimed at supporting Florida farmers affected by Hurricane Helene. The program is designed to provide financial assistance to those who have suffered losses due to the hurricane.

Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture, Wilton Simpson, has announced the launch of an interest-free loan program aimed at aiding farmers, ranchers, and growers affected by Hurricane Helene. The Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program will offer financial assistance to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property such as fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings. The loans can also be used for removing vegetative debris.

A suspect was arrested by the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, aided by advanced technology, for possessing a stolen vehicle and drugs. The arrest took place on September 23, 2024.

Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that officers with the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) arrested Santiago Diaz of Clearwater, Florida, on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to vehicle theft, trafficking of methamphetamine, and illegal possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. This significant felony arrest was aided by OALE’s use of innovative technology that provides real-time alerts of vehicles reported stolen, associated with missing persons, associated with active arrest warrants, and more.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has invited wounded veterans to apply for upcoming Operation Outdoor Freedom fishing and hunting trips. Led by the Florida Forest Service, Operation Outdoor Freedom offers recreational and rehabilitative opportunities to wounded veterans on state forests, agricultural lands, and private lands throughout Florida at no cost.

Wounded veterans are being invited to register for the upcoming Operation Outdoor Freedom fishing and hunting events. These events aim to provide recreational opportunities for wounded veterans, allowing them to enjoy outdoor activities in a supportive environment.

Commissioner Wilton Simpson has announced the preservation of 1,642 acres of Florida farmland through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The program aims to safeguard working agricultural lands from development while maintaining their economic viability.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the preservation of more than 386 acres of working agricultural land in Heart Bar Ranch, Osceola County, through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The land is being preserved through a rural land protection easement valued at $2,600,000.

Commissioner Wilton Simpson has announced the approval of the first loan for Florida farmers affected by Hurricane Debby. This initiative aims to provide financial relief to those impacted by the hurricane's devastating effects on agriculture.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the approval of the first Hurricane Debby recovery loan through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. The application process was launched on August 9, 2024, to assist eligible Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers in rebuilding and recovering from Hurricane Debby. This loan approval comes just 15 days after Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida.

On August 16, 2024, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the preservation of Joseph Miller Ranch, a 490-acre cow/calf operation in St. Lucie County, through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The preservation was achieved through a rural land protection easement valued at $2,070,000.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the preservation of Lowder’s Gulf Hammock, a 691-acre working timber and wetland property in Levy County, through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The preservation is facilitated by a rural land protection easement valued at $691,200.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Debby can now apply for low-interest and interest-free loans through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. Loans can be used by eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property — including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings — or to remove vegetative debris.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced a significant partnership between the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Feeding Florida to increase the availability of fresh, protein-rich, Florida-grown products in food banks across the state. This initiative marks the first time funding has been increased for Florida food banks to source surplus beef, eggs, and dairy products from local producers.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Food, Nutrition and Wellness Division has announced the household size and income guidelines for free and reduced-price meals or free milk for students unable to pay the full price under the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, and Special Milk Programs.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service announced today that $2 million is now available to Florida landowners through the Florida’s Future Forests Program to improve forest health. Now in its fourth year, the program offers cost-share opportunities for landowners to enhance the capacity of Florida’s forests, which provide clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation, and numerous essential products.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the Florida Forest Service’s record-setting year of applying prescribed fire during the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The agency set a new annual record with 277,818 total acres treated for the year on State Forests. Prescribed fire reduces hazardous fuel buildups and the chances of catastrophic wildfires.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement has arrested Tyler Stephen Meldrim, 23, in connection with a wildfire that occurred on April 27, 2024, in Santa Rosa County. Meldrim faces one count of Intentional Burning of Lands under Florida Statute 590.28, a third-degree felony.