A workshop on financial assistance programs for shellfish growers was held on August 15 at the FSU Coastal and Marine Lab. Co-hosted by the UF/IFAS Shellfish Aquaculture Extension Program and DACS Division of Aquaculture, representatives from two federal agencies provided information about their programs. The workshop agenda can be downloaded here; presentations and handouts are provided below. In addition, you can watch recorded presentations via the Financial Assistance Programs for Shellfish Growers video playlist on YouTube.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is responsible for the delivery of federal farm programs to help producers manage risks and recover from disasters. The Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program, or NAP, provides financial assistance to growers of non-insurable crops to protect them against natural disasters that result in crop losses. The deadline to apply for the NAP program is August 31, 2019. Check with County Office on new program provisions and reporting requirements. Coverage levels for the 2020 crop year, application deadlines, and new oyster culture policy provisions were discussed, as well as several loan programs offered by FSA.
Presentations (pdf files):
- Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance: Aquaculture (Heather Boyd, USDA FSA)
- Farm Loan Program (Patricia Sorensen, USDA FSA)
Fact Sheets (pdf files):
- Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance, 2019 and Subsequent Years: Basic Provisions
- Farm Loans Overview
- Farm Loan Information Chart
Contact Information:
Heather Boyd, Agricultural Program Specialist
FSA State Office
P.O. Box 141030, Gainesville, FL 32614
Phone: (352) 379-4522
Email: heather.boyd@usda.gov
Patricia Sorensen, Farm Loan Officer
Madison County FSA
1416 E US 90, Madison, FL 32340
Phone: (850) 973-2205
Email: patricia.sorensen@usda.gov
Melissa Rodgers, County Director
Jefferson County FSA (serving Wakulla County)
1244 N Jefferson Street, Monticello, FL 32344
Phone: (850) 997-2072, ext 2
Email: melissa.rodgers@usda.gov
Shelly Sale, Acting County Director
Calhoun County FSA (serving Gulf & Franklin Counties)
17413 NW Leonard Street, Blountstown, FL 32424
Phone: (850) 674-8388
Email: shelly.sale@usda.gov
The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) helps businesses grow and succeed by providing one-on-one consulting at no charge in areas of startup, business planning, market research, financial management, access to capital and other business-related topics. Information about financial management and access to capital and how these relate to business startup and expansion was presented.
Presentation (pdf file):
- Show me the money! (Mark Yarick, SBDC)
Handout (pdf file)
- Complete packet of handouts (includes balance sheet, business debt schedule, creditor list, income statement, three-year financials, farm business plan, projected incomes, and personal financial statement worksheets)
Contact Information:
Mark Yarick, Small Business Development Consultant
Florida SBDC at University of North Florida, North Central Florida Office
2758 County Road 136, White Springs, Florida 32096
Phone: (386) 362-1782
Email: mark.yarick@unf.edu
