Florida agriculture battered by drought, freezes and wildfires, driving multibillion-dollar losses

Florida’s agriculture sector is contending with a string of natural disasters—historic drought, winter freezes and wildfires—that have caused billions in damages, with citrus and berries hardest hit. Insurance coverage gaps leave many farmers vulnerable, and while USDA emergency loans offer some relief, officials and industry leaders are pressing for faster federal aid or block grants to reimburse losses. The downturn could force replanting and longer-term changes in farming as producers try to recover for next year.