USDA Declares Florida Freeze a Disaster After $3.1 Billion Blow to Farmers

Federal aid on the way as Florida's agricultural industry reels from devastating cold snap

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared a disaster in Florida after last month's brutal cold front caused an estimated $3.1 billion in agricultural losses across the state. The declaration opens the door for federal relief funds to help farmers and growers recover from the devastating freeze that hit the heart of Florida's growing regions, impacting key crops like citrus, sugarcane, strawberries, and more.

Why it matters

Agriculture is a vital part of Florida's regional economy, generating over $1 billion in direct sales and nearly $5 billion in total economic impact. With almost 19,000 jobs tied to the industry, the devastating freeze poses a major threat to livelihoods and the state's food supply. This disaster declaration aims to provide critical assistance to help Florida's farmers and growers recover and protect the long-term viability of the state's agricultural sector.

The details

Crops including citrus, strawberries, sugarcane, corn, as well as nurseries and greenhouses, took a severe hit from the freeze. Sugarcane growers lost $1.15 billion, while citrus took a $674 million blow. Other major losses were seen in strawberries, sweet corn, greenhouses, and nurseries. The USDA's disaster declaration, signed by Secretary Brooke Rollins, comes after a bipartisan push from Florida's congressional delegation led by Rep. Kat Cammack. This opens the door for federal aid and relief funds to start flowing to the state's battered agricultural industry.

  • The brutal cold front hit Florida in February 2026.
  • The USDA disaster declaration was signed in March 2026.

The players

Brooke Rollins

U.S. Agriculture Secretary who signed the disaster declaration for Florida.

Wilton Simpson

Florida's agriculture commissioner, who expressed hope that the declaration will lead to meaningful aid for the state's farmers.

Kat Cammack

A Republican Congresswoman from Gainesville, Florida, who led the bipartisan push for the USDA disaster declaration.

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

The state agency that provided the $3.1 billion estimate in agricultural losses from the freeze.

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What they’re saying

“This is a national security issue. A nation that cannot feed itself, cannot secure itself. This freeze caused widespread, historic, and devastating damage. Farmers are facing wiped-out crops, lost income, and months or even years of recovery through no fault of their own. A USDA Disaster Declaration is essential to get relief on the ground now and protect Florida agriculture and America's food supply from collapsing under this blow.”

— Kat Cammack, U.S. Representative (englewoodreview.com)

“I think we've got a chance to, certainly before the end of the year, to maybe do something really good for our farmers.”

— Wilton Simpson, Florida Agriculture Commissioner (englewoodreview.com)

What’s next

The USDA disaster declaration will now unlock federal aid and relief funds to help Florida's agricultural industry recover from the devastating freeze. State and federal officials are working to get this assistance on the ground as quickly as possible to support farmers and growers.

The takeaway

This disaster highlights the vital role agriculture plays in Florida's regional economy and the vulnerability of the state's farmers to extreme weather events. The USDA's swift action to declare a disaster and unlock federal aid is crucial to helping the industry recover and protecting the long-term viability of Florida's food production capabilities.