New York Farmers Seek Federal Aid After May Freeze

New York's U.S. senators are requesting a federal agricultural disaster declaration for 31 counties after a freeze in May destroyed crops.

The New York State Farm Service Agency submitted the disaster declaration request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on August 2. The request was based on losses reported in counties across upstate New York.

A federal agricultural disaster declaration covers counties where more than 30% of a crop is lost. In Cayuga County, farmers reported that more than 30% of their apple, cherry, grape, and peach crops were lost due to the freeze. In neighboring Onondaga County, grapes, onions, strawberries, and wheat were the affected crops.

The freeze occurred over multiple days from May 14 to May 25, but the worst period was overnight from May 17 to May 18. Severe frost damaged crops, mainly apples and grapes, across New York.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand urged him to approve the disaster declaration for New York counties. They wrote that apple and grape crops were most affected by the freeze, but the conditions also caused damage to several other crops, including blueberries, pears, and strawberries.

Gillibrand and Schumer said that the growers are an essential part of New York state and have a long history of producing quality food for Americans. They also said that it is important to provide them with urgent support so that they can get back on their feet.

If the disaster declaration is granted, low-interest loans will be available to growers who lost crops. Farmers could receive up to $500,000 to cover losses.

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