Schumer, Gillibrand back ag disaster declaration for NY due to damaging spring frost
USDA estimates more than $30 million in damages to apples, grapes, stone fruits and onions
Press Release, U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Representative Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), urged Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to approve federal aid for New York fruit and specialty crop growers facing mass crop loss after an April frost that damaged the early growth of fruits and vegetables.
The letter follows New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s request for a Secretarial disaster designation, which would give affected farmers access to low-interest emergency loans. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets estimates more than $30 million in losses to date, with apple, grape, stone fruit, onion, and other growers potentially losing anywhere from 15 to 100 percent of their crops to the frost.
“Farmers are the backbone of New York’s economy, but as climate change worsens, extreme weather events are becoming more common and are wreaking havoc on growers across the state,” Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said. “These frost events are devastating for New York’s specialty crop and fruit sector, and a Secretarial disaster designation would help ensure that impacted growers have the resources they need to recover. I urge USDA Secretary Rollins to swiftly consider and approve New York’s request in order to bring relief to farmers across New York.”
The primary affected counties include Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Erie, Greene, Niagara, Chautauqua, Onondaga, Orange, Putnam, Schuyler, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester and Yates, and the contiguous counties of Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Delaware, Erie, Madison, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Seneca, Steuben, Tompkins and Wayne.
“From the vineyards of the Finger Lakes to the orchards of the Capital Region, New York’s farms are the heart of our economy. But this past April, they suffered from a devastating freeze that severely damaged crops, which had already started growing due to a warmer winter,” said Senator Schumer. “That’s why I’m calling on USDA Secretary Rollins to swiftly provide New York’s farms with a disaster designation so our farmers can unlock the critical emergency relief funds they need. I will always fight to protect and support impacted farms across Upstate New York.”
According to USDA’s 2022 Census of Agriculture, New York is one of the top-ranking specialty crop states in the country, including second in apples and third in grapes. Many specialty crop farms also support New York’s agritourism and economy through pick-your-own operations and value-added products, such as hard cider and wine.
The bicameral group wrote to Secretary Rollins: “A Secretarial Disaster Designation will unlock resources, such as emergency loans, for farmers across New York so that they can begin the process of recovering.”
“April’s frost had temperatures easily reaching below freezing and badly damaged the early growth of buds and shoots,” the group continued. “This disaster has significantly impacted New York farmers growing specialty crops, particularly apples, grapes, stone fruit, pears, and strawberries, as well as early vegetables such as onions.”
The letter is also signed by Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Josh Riley (D-NY-19), and Tim Kennedy (D-NY-26).
