The citrus industry, which pumps around $9 billion into our state economy, is getting some help from the feds.

Volusia County citrus growers are celebrating the U.S. Department of Agriculture's helping hand with citrus greening.

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam said the federal government will help growers trying to get rid of the devastating citrus tree disease.

An estimated 45,000 growers affected by citrus greening and are eligible for federal funds.

According to the USDA, Florida citrus growers will be eligible for up to 50 percent of the cost of the removal of diseased trees, 65 percent of the cost of replanting and 65 percent of the cost of seedlings.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said it's important for Florida growers to remove the diseased trees and replant new ones, or the industry could continue to suffer not only crop losses, but job losses.

Meanwhile, researchers are working to come up with a vaccine or cure for citrus greening.