Florida Timber Recovery Block Grant Program

Florida Timber Recovery Block Grant Program (“TRBG”) is available to timber producers who suffered timber damage as a result of Hurricane Michael. Compensation for hurricane related crop loss is provided to producers that meet eligibility requirements. The program is managed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management in conjunction with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the US Department of Agriculture.

Timber Recovery Frequently Asked Questions

Timber Recovery Block Grant Program Presentation

To be eligible for the TRBG, a producer must be the owner of record or the lessee who has rights to the timber crop at the time of application of a minimum of 10 contiguous acres of nonindustrial private forest land (NIPF) located in one of the following Florida counties:

• Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton, and/or Washington.

Ownership Requirement

To be eligible for TRBG financial assistance, a producer must be a person or legal entity that is a:

• Citizen of the United States;
• Resident alien;
• Partnership consisting solely of citizens or resident aliens of the US; or
• Corporation, limited liability corporation, or other farm organizational structure organized under State law consisting solely of citizens or resident aliens of the US.

Loss Requirement

To be eligible to receive TRBG financial assistance, a producer must have stands of timber that sustained a minimum 25% loss due to Hurricane Michael. Stands of timber that sustained a loss of 35% or higher may be eligible to receive a higher payment. See Payment Calculation section below for more details.

The following formulas and tables will be utilized to determine the amount of your TRBG payment:

• Tree stands with a loss less than 25% are not eligible to receive a payment.
• Tree stands with a loss equal to or greater than 25% will be eligible to receive a payment.
• Tree stands with a loss equal to or greater than 35% will be eligible to receive a payment.

The loss percentage will be documented using a combination of site visits, maintenance and/or production records, photographs, aerial imagery or other sufficient documentation as determined by the State. A producer may not receive total payment on more than 2,500 acres under the program. Each eligible producer may only submit one application under the TRBG.

35% Timber Loss Payment =

(Assigned Volume x Assigned Value x Damaged Stand Acreage) x 50% Payment Factor

25% Timber Loss Payment =

(Assigned Volume x Assigned Value x Damaged Stand Acreage) x 25% Payment Factor

Producers who receive payments under the TRBG for more than 20 acres are required to document one of the following reforestation methods. Producers are required to certify at time of application that they have applied for or have proper documentation for one of the below methods.

• Apply for maximum eligible benefits under any of the governmental reforestation programs. Example: Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) or similar program for reforestation.
• Show documentation from the State in support for natural hardwood or sand pine regeneration.
• Be willing to cover all reforestation costs without state or federal assistance.
• Have adequate survival of the existing stand to maintain a healthy forest, as determined by the State.

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, under Federal Award Identification No. FSA20GRA0010342

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In addition, any reference to specific brands or types of products or services does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for those products or services. In addition with respect to any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed herein, neither the United States Government nor the Cooperative Processor makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Users bear the sole responsibility for decisions affecting program participation and may want to consult other resources.

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