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.

Online Sign-Up

To sign-up for the block grant, click the link at the top of the page and complete the required form. This is the first step toward receiving block grant funds and should only take a few minutes to complete.

Account Manager

Once you have signed up, you will receive a confirmation email and will be assigned an Account Manager (AM) who will contact you via phone within five (5) business days with further details. Your AM will be your primary contact throughout your block grant experience and will help you through every step of the process.

Next Steps

Your Account Manager will guide you through the necessary documentation to complete your application package and the next steps in the process. Ensuring complete and accurate documentation is submitted timely will streamline application processing. Documentation may include but not be limited to the below. The next steps include:

• Application Intake

Your Account Manager will schedule an application intake appointment where they will help you complete the block grant application by phone. Please make sure you have access to a computer or tablet and your email. If you do not have access to a computer or tablet, your Account Manager will support alternative means of completion.

• Supporting Documentation

Once your application is complete, your Account Manager will give you a list of specific documentation that is needed to complete your application intake process. Here is a list of documentation that you can start collecting while waiting to hear from your Account Manager: What to prepare your block grant appointment.

• Site Inspection and Loss Verification

Once your completed application and supporting documentation has been received by your AM, verification of timber loss to determine your eligibility and payment amount will be required. Staff will use a combination of site inspections, aerial imagery, and other supporting documentation to verify your level of loss.

• State Payment System Registration

Your Account Manager will assist you with registering in MyFloridaMarketPlace and the State of Florida Vendor System. You may elect to receive payment via paper check in the mail or by direct deposit to your bank account. Please speak with your Account Manager prior to registering in these systems to ensure you have entered all information correctly.

MyFlorida Marketplace – How to Sign Up GUIDE

MyFlorida CFO – How to Sign Up GUIDE

• Sign Documents

Once your loss has been verified, your Account Manager will send you a link via email so you can digitally sign all required documents. If you need assistance, your Account Manager will be available to guide you through the process.

• Payment

Once you sign and return your forms, your payment request will be sent for financial processing. It will typically take 20 days to complete the payment request. You will receive payment via paper check in the mail or by direct deposit to your bank account, depending on the selection you made when registering with the State of Florida Vendor System.

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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