Farmers across Florida can now apply for a share of $35 million in federal grants aimed at eradicating feral swine on agricultural lands, a program with direct relevance to Hillsborough County's nearly 2,000 farms and 200,000-plus acres of cropland and pasture.
The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service announced Wednesday, July 22, that it is accepting applications through the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program. Florida is one of 14 eligible states, and the agency has designated a "South Central" Florida pilot project area, according to the NRCS program page. The specific counties covered by that designation have not been publicly confirmed.
The deadline to apply is Monday, September 21, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, through Grants.gov.
What the money covers
Individual grants range from $75,000 to $3 million per project. NRCS will cover up to 75 percent of total project costs; applicants must provide a 25 percent match in cash or in-kind contributions. The agency expects to make up to 25 awards nationally, with selections anticipated by Friday, October 23, and projects starting in December 2026.
Funded projects have three components: feral swine removal led by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, habitat restoration, and direct assistance to producers for on-farm trapping and control.
Who can apply
Individual farmers cannot apply directly. Eligible applicants are state, county, and local governments; special district governments; tribal governments; nonprofits; and institutions of higher education. For-profit organizations are ineligible. Producers who receive assistance through a funded partner must have an adjusted gross income not exceeding $900,000.
Why it matters locally
Hillsborough County ranks third in Florida for total agricultural sales at nearly $704 million, with 1,992 farms covering 201,712 acres, according to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture. The county grows 15 percent of Florida's fresh-market tomatoes, according to Hillsborough County government.
Wild hogs are present in all 67 Florida counties, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The state's feral pig population exceeds 500,000 animals, according to UF/IFAS research. The animals can root up to 16 inches deep, destroying crops and soil structure, and carry diseases transmissible to cattle, including pseudorabies and tuberculosis.
Florida crop producers spent an estimated $27 million on feral hog control in 2021, according to an American Farm Bureau Federation analysis of USDA survey data.
"We are collaborating with our partners at USDA and across the country to help combat feral swine and keep our farms, ranches and landscapes safe," NRCS Chief Colton L. Buckley said July 22 when the grant was announced. "These invasive species cause more than $3.4 billion in damage each year."
How to learn more
NRCS is hosting an informational webinar for prospective applicants on Thursday, August 20, from 3 to 4 p.m. Eastern. Registration is available on the NRCS program page. Applicants can also contact NRCS Grants Management Specialist Sarah Trumbull at [email protected] or reach their local NRCS field office through the service center locator at farmers.gov.
