By Blake Jackson
New York farmers affected by severe spring weather will have access to federal disaster assistance after Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved a Secretarial Disaster Designation for multiple counties across the state.
The designation follows widespread damage caused by frost, freezes, heavy rain, flooding, flash flooding, hail, and high winds during the 2026 growing season.
Fruit growers, including apple, grape, strawberry, and stone fruit producers, were among the hardest hit. State officials estimate reported losses have already exceeded $30 million.
“New York’s growers experienced significant damage early this year with some losing an entire growing season and reporting tens of millions in economic loss,” Governor Hochul said.
“I would like to thank the USDA for taking this action to declare a disaster designation for the impacted counties and help our growers get the assistance they need to recover and move forward. I also encourage New Yorkers to continue to support their local growers, whether it’s by buying fresh local products from the farm or purchasing the many products made from New York’s growers.”
The USDA granted the disaster designation after Governor Hochul requested federal assistance on May 19, 2026. The declaration covers counties across the Finger Lakes, Mid-Hudson, Capital Region, Central New York, Long Island, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Southern Tier, Western New York, and New York regions.
Several weather events are included in the declaration, including frost and freeze damage in April and May, destructive hail and high winds in mid-May, and excessive rainfall and flooding that occurred between late March and early April. Primary disaster counties, along with neighboring contiguous counties, are eligible for assistance.
The designation enables qualifying agricultural producers to apply for low-interest emergency loans through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). These loans are designed to help farmers recover from production losses and restore their operations following natural disasters.
Eligible producers have up to eight months from the disaster declaration date to submit applications for assistance through their local USDA Farm Service Agency office, providing critical financial support as farms work to recover from one of the state's most challenging growing seasons.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: New York, Government & Policy