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The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers voluntary Farm Bill programs that benefit both agricultural producers and the environment. In recent years, shellfish growers in other states have benefited by participating in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which provides technical and financial assistance to producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits, see fact sheet. Discussion is ongoing with NRCS staff on how this program could assist shellfish growers in designated counties impacted by Hurricane Ian remove debris and damaged farm gear from their submerged land leases and restore to pre-hurricane conditions. Shellfish growers are encouraged

For growers located in counties where the USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) local infrastructure has been impacted by Hurricane Ian, the agency has established state-specific toll-free information lines where growers in need can receive immediate information regarding available FSA assistance. If your local FSA office is closed, you can contact the FSA Call Center at 1-877-508-8364. The line is staffed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET or email:  SM.FPAC.FSA.FLFSA.Disaster@USDA.GOV.  If possible, FSA is requesting growers include their county in the subject line of the email, this will expedite the response time of our team. Reporting Losses/Submitting

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. USDA FSA representative, Heather Boyd, provided information to shellfish growers on the availability and requirements of the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm raised Fish Program or ELAP. Information included eligible losses, required documentation and important deadlines to meet in accordance with program regulations. This workshop was co-hosted by the  University of Florida Shellfish Extension Program and Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture, and was held virtually using Zoom on September

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. USDA FSA will be providing information to shellfish growers on the availability and requirements of the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm raised Fish Program or ELAP. Information will include eligible losses, required documentation and important deadlines to meet in accordance with program regulations. Heather Boyd, Agricultural Program Specialist at the FSA state office will be available to answer questions. The webinar will occur on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at 3:00

June 14-15-5, 2022 The 1st Women of the Water Conference was held on June 14-15, 2022 at Mote Marine Lab and Aquaculture Park. The event was organized by Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Florida Sea Grant, and Mote Marine Laboratory. Additional sponsors included Cedar Key Aquaculture Association, Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association, Florida Aquaculture Association, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Superior Bearing & Supply, Oyster City Brewing Company, and Aquatic Equipment and Design Inc. Over the course of two days, we explored the values of research, community, collaboration, and celebration while bringing together the current and future generations of women in aquaculture. Two presentations were given