ALBANY, N.Y. (WNYT) – New York growers in 32 counties can seek federal disaster aid after spring weather caused more than $30 million in crop losses, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.
Hochul announced July 25, that the U.S. Department of Agriculture granted a disaster designation for counties hit by frost, freezes, hail, flooding and heavy rain during the spring. According to the press release, the damage affected fruit operations including apple, stone fruit, grape and strawberry growers.
“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 Kathy Hochul said.
The designation lets eligible farmers apply for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) low-interest emergency loans and other assistance. The press release said farmers in eligible and contiguous counties have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply through the Farm Service Agency.
Which crops were hit?
The press release said New York ranks second in the country for apple production and third for grapes. It said the apple industry alone generates $574 million in economic impact.
A survey by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets estimated growers’ losses ranged from 15 percent to 100 percent, with more than $30 million in losses reported so far. The release said some growers lost an entire growing season.
“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,” Hochul said.
The primary disaster counties listed in the release include Broome, Cortland, Tompkins, Cayuga, Chemung, Columbia, Dutchess, Erie, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Nassau, Niagara, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Rockland, Saratoga, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Tompkins, Ulster, Washington, Wayne, Westchester and Yates, with additional contiguous counties also eligible.
“I thank Governor Hochul for taking action and urging the USDA to issue this disaster declaration to support our fruit and vegetable growers in their time of need. We saw unprecedented damage to our apple crops and vineyards while touring the Hudson Valley, and growers in regions across the State are facing similar economic losses from the spring frost as well. Securing this disaster declaration will provide the opportunity for affected farmers to apply for critical loan funding that will be crucial to our growers as they move forward,” Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said.
The release said farmers can contact their local USDA service center or use the Farm Service Agency disaster assistance tool through the state Department of Agriculture and Markets emergency management webpage.