USDA approves disaster declaration for Orleans, 31 other counties from extreme spring weather

Photo by Tom Rivers: Domoy Farms in Oakfield harvests Triticale last Friday along Route 63 by Dunlap Road in Shelby. Triticale is a hybrid of wheat and rye.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a disaster declaration for 32 counties, including Orleans, due to extreme spring weather that damaged crops.

Apple, stone fruit and grape crops suffered from the weather that damaged fruit buds, causing an estimated $30 million in damages to growers, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced.

The declaration allows growers to seek low-interest emergency loans through the USDA. The declaration includes counties in the Finger Lakes, Mid-Hudson, Capital, Central New York, Long Island, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Southern Tier and the Western New York regions.

“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,” 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.”

Orleans County saw damage to fruit trees during a frost and freeze from April 19 to April 21.

A USDA disaster designation makes farm operators in primary counties and those counties contiguous eligible to be considered for emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply for relief programs. Farmers can contact their local FSA office. In Orleans County, the FSA office is at 446 West Ave. in Albion with the phone number: (585) 589-5320.