How Farmers Can Prepare for and Recover from Hurricanes with USDA Support
- Courtney Columbus
- Nov 25, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 25
Preparation Tips and USDA Programs
Clewiston, Florida — Along with farming in places such as Florida and Puerto Rico come the challenges posed by extreme weather, such as hurricanes and tornadoes. States including North Carolina and Georgia have also suffered devastating damage from hurricanes this year.
In 2024 alone, hurricanes caused billions of dollars in agricultural losses across Florida, Puerto Rico, and other states. Farmers like Ariel Avila of Trinity Farm know all too well the importance of preparation and recovery strategies to withstand these natural disasters.
Preparation Checklist:
Take time-stamped photos of your property, crops, livestock, and equipment. For Android and iPhone users, the app Datestamper can be used to add the date a photo was taken.
Store vital documents in a waterproof container.
Ensure insurance policies are current and cover potential hazards.
Preparation and Recovery Guides
List of recommended preparation steps from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension
University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences guide that farmers can use to prepare for and recover from hurricanes.
Recovery Resources
To recover from damage caused by hurricanes, farmers can seek assistance from federal programs offered by agencies including the USDA, NRCS, and the Farm Service Agency (FSA). After the storm, farmers should safely assess the damage and take detailed notes and photographs. Major damage can be reported to emergency services. Agricultural extension offices are also valuable resources that can assist local farmers. For more information about USDA disaster assistance programs, click here.
Navigating the various program options can be complex. This fact sheet published by the USDA in October 2024 provides a comparison of the various programs that the agency offers for farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who are recovering from Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. (This fact sheet is also available in Spanish here.) In Florida alone, producers impacted by Hurricane Milton are receiving crop insurance payments totaling $143 million from the USDA, according to the agency.
Hurricane Risk Across the U.S.
This map shows the relative hurricane risk faced by communities across the U.S. Communities in red are at the highest risk, while communities in dark blue have the lowest risk. Source: FEMA.
Ariel Avila of Trinity Farm in Clewiston, Florida, exemplifies the resilience and grit of farmers who have experienced the challenges posed by natural disasters. He emphasized the importance of preparing for events like tornadoes, heavy rain, and floods, and the role that the USDA plays in helping to support farmers.
“We have to be ready, but the USDA helps us when something like that happens. They give you some help to recover,” Ariel said. “It’s good to know that you have that support.”
Learn more about Ariel’s story in our Landowner Spotlight below!
Landowner Spotlight: Cows and Conservation with Ariel Avila
Ariel took us on a tour of Trinity Farm and shared his goals for the future.
Ariel Avila’s dream of becoming a farmer started in childhood when he was always the first in the car to go on trips to the farm with his father.
Today, Ariel, originally from Venezuela, is living that dream. At his farm, Trinity Farm in Clewiston, Florida, he raises cattle with care and dedication, using rotational grazing techniques to promote the health of his cows and his land. By moving his cows to a new pasture daily—or every two days at most—Ariel ensures they graze on fresh grass while giving the land time to recover. This practice improves soil quality and keeps his cows healthy and happy.
Ariel graciously hosted our second Climate-Smart Orientation for Farmers and Ranchers in Florida, where he shared his aspirations for improving his farm. One of his goals is to plant trees to provide shade for his cattle, reducing their heat stress during the hot tropical days. This type of system is an agroforestry practice known as silvopasture.
Ariel’s love for his cows is unmistakable. He ensures their well-being by keeping them out of muddy, unhealthy areas and providing shelter during intense heat. His efforts reflect his dedication to their care and comfort.
“If they’re happy, I’m happy, too,” Ariel said with a smile.
Currently, Ariel’s farm lacks natural shade, as the land was historically used for sugarcane farming and lacks trees. Through the Hispanic Climate-Smart Commodities Initiative (HCSCI)—a program we call the Climate-Smart program—Ariel’s dream of planting trees is becoming a reality.
The Impact of Climate-Smart Farming
Ariel looks forward to implementing a silvopasture system on his farm to provide more shade for his cattle.
The Climate-Smart program, which we are implementing in collaboration with Victus Puerto Rico, supports Hispanic farmers and ranchers in planting fruit trees on their land. These trees offer numerous benefits:
Environmental Benefits: The trees sequester carbon and provide natural shade, helping to reduce heat-related stress for livestock.
Economic Benefits: The fruit from these trees creates an additional source of income for farmers.
Ariel’s enthusiasm for farming and commitment to sustainable practices make him an excellent advocate for this initiative. His passion for cattle ranching continues to inspire others.
“Every day, it's an adventure [to] go to the farm,” Ariel said. “I love it…it's all I want to do the rest of my life. I don’t want to do anything else.”
Exciting Opportunity: Cultivar Learning Network Internships
We are now accepting applications for our 2025 cohorts. Applications for our virtual and travel internships are due by 5 p.m. EST on January 15th. Help us spread the word by sharing this information with bilingual college or university students who are passionate about agriculture and natural resource conservation! For more information, contact Talent Development Program Manager Patricia Morales at patricia.morales@mano-y-ola.com.
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