By Blake Jackson
Governor Kathy Hochul has requested a USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation for Oneida County and its surrounding counties, including Lewis, Herkimer, Oswego, and Madison, due to severe winter weather in early 2025.
The request aims to provide financial relief to farms that suffered significant livestock losses and structural damage to barns and equipment.
The extreme weather, which occurred between January 6 and February 25, 2025, brought heavy winds, ice, and over 180 inches of snow to the region.
The sustained freezing temperatures and lack of thaws led to heavy snow and ice accumulation on agricultural buildings, causing collapses, livestock deaths, and damage to feedstocks and equipment.
“Severe weather earlier this year wreaked nearly unprecedented damage on farms across Northern and Central New York, and I’m requesting a USDA disaster declaration to help bring relief to our agricultural communities,” Governor Hochul said.
“This damage has upended the futures of farms as they face tens of millions of dollars in economic impact. I urge the USDA to take swift action to declare these counties a disaster area and help our farmers get the assistance they need to move forward.”
Consultations with the USDA’s Oneida County Farm Service Agency and Cornell Cooperative Extension offices revealed that over 60 agricultural locations experienced an estimated $15 to $20 million in damages.
"Shortly after the last round of heavy snow and ice, I was able to visit a number of farms in Oneida County and see firsthand the damage that these farms sustained. Typically, we are concerned about crop loss when we face severe weather, but this winter storm impacted infrastructure and livestock that will make it extremely difficult to look toward this year’s planting season," said New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball.
"I am thankful to the Governor for this request and appreciate the USDA’s consideration to move ahead with a disaster declaration to provide some financial relief to area farmers."
The severe weather affected various agricultural operations, including dairy, beef, hay, nursery, greenhouse, and crop farms, significantly impacting the local farm economy.
A USDA Disaster Designation would enable these farms to apply for low-interest emergency loans, aiding their recovery efforts.
Photo Credit: usda-farm-service-agency
Categories: New York, Government & Policy, Weather