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SEPTEMBER 5, 2005
ISSUE 1079
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COMMISSIONER
BRONSON
SURVEYS
HURRICANE
DAMAGE
- FFVA joined Commissioner Charles Bronson and
agricultural industry officials on a tour last Tuesday (August
30) of Homestead farms and ornamental nurseries damaged by Hurricane
Katrina. The storm brought winds topping 95 mph and 12 to 15
inches of rain, tipping avocado trees and destroying shade structures.
Growers report total crop damage of $427.3 million. Total vegetable
estimates: $25.5 million, fruit: $30.1 million and ornamental:
$370.6 million.
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- The tour included a stop at FFVA Member Arturo
De Leon's avocado grove where many trees where split or toppled.
Because only about a third of the crop had been harvested before
the storm, fruit had been blown from the trees and littered
the ground. Mr. De Leon employs about 150 avocado workers and
another 50-60 for his okra crop.
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- "We can't wait long for insurance money
because we've got to pay these workers and keep them on the
farms," said Commissioner Bronson.
Getting a fast response on crop insurance and debris removal
were the top priorities for Bronson as he spoke to a room of
about 100 growers and government representatives following the
tour.
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- "I'm meeting with the governor when I
return to ask for his support in this effort," he added.
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- Miami-Dade officials told FFVA they were relaxing
rules on debris burns in the wake of the storm to allow growers
to clear their land and rebuild as soon as possible. However,
materials that cannot be burned will likely be the responsibility
of growers because the Federal Emergency Management Agency does
not assist with such agricultural cleanup.
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ALSO
IN THIS WEEK'S RAP-UP
(Members-Only articles are indicated in
bold.)
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- TRUCK
WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS EASED FOLLOWING HURRICANE
JUDGE
FINDS IN FAVOR OF LANDOWNER IN ORDINARY HIGH WATER MARK CASE
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