Florida’s agriculture commissioner Adam Putnam told farmers in Homestead on Monday that he wants the feds to declare a state of emergency.
South Florida’s farmers are reeling from the deluge of rain so far this month Many fields are under water and the crops are rotting.
Putnam says this isn’t just a problem for farmers.“Vegetable crops alone are a $200 million plus economic impact to this area", explained Putnam. "So this is a big deal whether you’re a farmer or not. It’s personal if you’re a farmer, but all consumers and taxpayers are going to feel the effects of the hit that this industry has taken.”
If the federal secretary of agriculture declares a disaster, South Florida farmers would have more options for receiving aid.