Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services

The official account of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

[FL Division of Emergency Management @FLSERT]

🌱 Hurricane #Isaias caused significant damage to agricultural operations across Northwest Florida, affecting the farmers & ranchers who help sustain our state's agricultural industry.

@FLSERT Executive Director Jared Perdue joined @FDACS Commissioner Wilton Simpson in Jay, Florida, to assess the damage firsthand & hear directly from local producers about their recovery needs.

Florida remains committed to helping impacted agricultural operations recover, rebuild & get back on their feet.

🔗 Find recovery resources at https://t.co/p1ksYRsn11.

[Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services @FDACS]

Commissioner Wilton Simpson today announced the permanent protection of nearly 1,500 acres across two Florida ranches through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, bringing the program’s total to more than 253,000 acres protected statewide.

Read more: https://t.co/3y8tcOCtCB

[Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services @FDACS]

.@FLForestService personnel are working to clear areas impacted by Hurricane Isaias, including removing debris from roads & critical infrastructure to aid residents and other agencies. Seven chainsaw strike teams are in the field: 5 in Blackwater District and 2 in neighboring Chipola District. Approximately 150 FFS personnel and dozens of skid-steer loaders are in the field working throughout the impact area.

[FL Division of Emergency Management @FLSERT]

🌾 Agricultural Recovery Assistance Available!
Following #Isaias, @FDACS is providing support to Florida’s agricultural community.

🚜Eligible farmers, ranchers, growers & aquaculture producers can apply for interest-free loans of up to $500,000 to repair or replace essential property, remove debris or restock aquaculture.

Learn more: https://t.co/8sUxZC8fkT

Farmers & ranchers needing urgent assistance for livestock or animals can submit a request at https://t.co/42bHLntsjB or call 1-833-264-6250.

[Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services @FDACS]

Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Isaias can now apply for interest-free loans.

Eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers can apply for loans of up to $500,000 to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property, including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings, or to remove debris or restock aquaculture.

Learn more: https://t.co/sM3EA3koQp

[Florida Forest Service @FLForestService]

FFS is asking Floridians in areas impacted by Hurricane Isaias to use caution when burning debris piles. Since smoke can travel great distances, be mindful of your neighbors as many are still without power and most homes have open windows. For more, visit https://t.co/6rP2nq5N7X

[Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services @FDACS]

Florida farmers and ranchers, to request critical assistance for your livestock and animals in urgent need, please complete the online request form at the link below or call 1-833-264-6250.

https://t.co/7DKd5Uwg9v

[Florida Department of Law Enforcement @fdlepio]

FDLE and the @FDACS working together after the storm passes to clear roadways near the Pensacola Regional Operations Center. Our members have been working diligently and cautiously on their recovery missions. 


[Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services @FDACS]

Floridians, if you witness flooding at a gas station or suspect you pumped contaminated fuel, report it to the department at https://t.co/oLru6DjF5O or call 1-800-HELP-FLA. Fuel inspectors are responding to impacted areas.

[Florida Forest Service @FLForestService]

Effective Oct. 8, 2026, at 9 a.m., all campgrounds and recreation areas on the following State Forests are closed due to Hurricane Isaias.

Refunds will be issued automatically for reservations during the closures. For more, visit https://t.co/Mw4wBytoGF or call [phone].

[WFLA NEWS @WFLA]

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced Thursday the permanent protection of hundreds of acres of land in Polk County through a state program.

https://t.co/y5yV5yxfZo

[Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services @FDACS]

Today, Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced another Florida farm that will be permanently protected through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

25 years into the program, more than 251,000 acres are now protected across Florida, with nearly 186,000 of those acres protected since Commissioner Simpson took office in 2023.

PRESS RELEASE: https://t.co/WqvYEkrf4p

[Florida’s Voice @FLVoiceNews]

Florida officials approved permanent preservation of more than 4,500 acres across four counties.

The agreements prevent future development while allowing farmers and ranchers to keep their land privately owned and in agricultural use.

https://t.co/VXA45fDmO3

[Florida Forest Service @FLForestService]

Gov. Ron DeSantis joined Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson & the Florida Cabinet at the Florida State Capitol this morning to honor FFS with a resolution highlighting the 90th anniversary of Florida’s State Forests & the agency’s work during a very active wildfire season

[Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services @FDACS]

Another 4,500+ acres of Florida agricultural land have been added to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

The Governor and Cabinet approved the projects today, bringing the program to more than 251,000 acres protected statewide, including nearly 186,000 acres since Commissioner Wilton Simpson took office.

Read more: https://t.co/F0rarsQoq4

[Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services @FDACS]

Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced Logan Whisenhunt as the winner of the sixth annual Florida Future Chef student cooking competition. Logan won first place with his dish, Cast Iron Panhandle Chicken with First Coast Corn Crostinis and Sunshine Matcha Mangos.

Learn more: https://t.co/kAlAqnLxDl

[Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services @FDACS]

Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the permanent protection of over 1,000 acres of working Florida agricultural land across three Florida farms through the department’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program.

Rural lands protection easements prevent future development and allow agricultural operations to continue contributing to Florida’s economy and the production of food, timber, and other resources vital to Florida's prosperity.

Read more: https://t.co/TKuVhr4X9n

[Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services @FDACS]

Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced Jeffrey Dewey Gargiulo, Lynetta and Ken Griner, and Ron St. John as 2027 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees.

Read more: https://t.co/JQFMvuYPaf

[Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services @FDACS]

Beginning today, non-industrial, private forest landowners can apply for the 2026 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program. The program works to minimize southern pine beetle damage in Florida by helping forest landowners conduct management practices that make their pine stands less susceptible to this destructive pest.

Learn more here: https://t.co/Frx62aLz4J