USDA Disaster Declaration Opens Relief for New York Growers
Farms in 32 counties may seek federal assistance after freezes, hail, flooding and other severe spring weather caused more than $30 million in reported crop losses.
The New York USDA disaster declaration will give eligible farmers access to emergency assistance after brutal spring weather damaged apples, grapes, strawberries and other valuable crops. The federal designation covers 32 primary counties, while farms in neighboring counties—including Oneida, Herkimer, Madison and Otsego—may also qualify under rules for contiguous counties.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the designation on July 25, saying growers who reported damage have experienced estimated economic losses totaling more than $30 million. Depending on the farm and its location, reported losses ranged from 15% to 100%.
The designation follows Hochul’s May 19 request for federal action. It does not automatically send checks to every affected farm. Instead, it allows eligible producers to apply for low-interest emergency loans and other assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency.
Severe spring weather battered New York crops
According to the governor’s official announcement, the federal designations cover damage caused by several separate weather events:
- Frost and freezing temperatures on April 7 and 8
- Frost and freezing temperatures from April 19 through April 21
- Frost and freezing temperatures on May 11 and 12
- High winds and hail on May 13 and 14
- Excessive rain and flooding from March 31 through April 1
Apple, grape, stone-fruit and strawberry growers were among the producers reporting substantial damage. A late freeze can be especially destructive after trees and vines have begun producing buds. Tender blossoms may be killed, leaving a plant alive but wiping out much of that season’s harvest.
Some farmers, state officials said, lost nearly an entire growing season.
“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.”
What the declaration means for Mohawk Valley farms
Several Mohawk Valley counties appear in the federal designations as either primary or contiguous disaster counties.
Montgomery County was named as a primary county for the April 19–21 freeze and the May 11–12 freeze. Fulton County was also designated for those two weather events.
Oneida County was listed as a contiguous county for:
- The April 19–21 frost and freeze
- The May 11–12 frost and freeze
- The May 13–14 high-wind and hail event
Herkimer County was included as a contiguous county for both the April 19–21 and May 11–12 freezes. Madison County was included as a contiguous county for several of the declared weather events. Otsego County was a primary county for the May freeze and contiguous to counties covered by the April declaration.
A contiguous designation can be important. USDA rules allow qualifying farmers in both primary and neighboring designated counties to be considered for emergency loans. Eligibility, however, depends on each applicant’s losses, finances and ability to repay.
What assistance is available?
A USDA disaster designation mainly opens access to the Farm Service Agency’s Emergency Farm Loan Program.
According to the USDA Farm Service Agency, emergency loans may help eligible producers:
- Restore or replace essential farm property
- Pay some production costs connected to the disaster year
- Cover essential family living expenses
- Reorganize a farming operation
- Refinance certain farm-related debts
Farmers must document their losses and meet federal eligibility requirements. The USDA says applicants generally must show that they cannot obtain sufficient credit elsewhere. Loan decisions also consider the extent of the damage, available security and the producer’s ability to repay.
Applications must be submitted within eight months of the applicable disaster designation date.
A loan is not the same as direct compensation
The declaration represents a meaningful path to recovery, but it does not erase the losses farmers have already suffered.
Emergency loans must generally be repaid. They are different from grants, crop-insurance payments or automatic reimbursements. Not every farm in a listed county will qualify, and the amount available will depend on the farm’s documented losses and financial condition.
That distinction matters for smaller farms already operating on thin margins. A low-interest loan can provide working capital to prepare for another season, but taking on more debt may not be the right answer for every producer.
Farmers should speak with FSA personnel before deciding which programs fit their circumstances.
New York’s fruit industry carries broad economic importance
New York is one of the country’s leading specialty-crop states. The state ranks second nationally in apple production and third in grape production, according to figures cited by the Hochul administration.
The state estimates that the apple industry alone generates an economic impact of approximately $574 million. Orchards and vineyards also support farm employees, packing facilities, transportation companies, processors, cider makers, wineries and local tourism.
Crop losses can therefore reach far beyond an individual farm.
Reduced harvests may mean less work for seasonal employees, fewer products for farm stands and local markets, and lower revenue for rural businesses. Pick-your-own farms may also have fewer visitors during a season when many depend on tourism and direct sales.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said officials saw extensive damage while visiting affected farms.
“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,” Ball said. “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.”
Mannion says relief must reach farms quickly
U.S. Rep. John Mannion, whose district includes parts of Central New York and the Mohawk Valley, said he pressed federal agriculture officials to act on New York’s request.
“Our apple, grape, and specialty crop growers suffered serious losses from the April frost, and this designation will help eligible farmers access the emergency assistance and low-interest loans they need to recover and keep their operations moving forward,” Mannion said.
He added that he would continue working with federal, state and local partners “to make sure relief reaches affected farms as quickly as possible.”
The next test will be whether growers can successfully navigate the application process before the deadline. Agricultural relief programs can require detailed production, insurance and financial records. Farmers should begin gathering those records even if they have not yet decided whether to apply.
What affected farmers should do now
Farm operators who experienced weather-related losses should consider taking the following steps:
- Document the damage. Collect dated photographs, production records, harvest estimates, repair bills and crop-insurance information.
- Contact the local FSA office. Confirm whether the farm falls within a primary or contiguous designated county.
- Ask about every available program. Emergency loans may not be the only form of disaster assistance for which a producer qualifies.
- Review the deadline. Applications for emergency loans must reach the FSA within eight months of the designation.
- Keep financial and farm records organized. FSA may request a farm operating plan, evidence of losses and other financial documents.
Growers can locate their nearest office through the USDA’s Service Center Locator. They can also use the federal Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, which asks five questions and identifies programs that may fit their circumstances.
Consumers can support local farms
Government assistance is one part of recovery. Consumer support can also help farms maintain income after a damaged growing season.
Hochul encouraged New Yorkers to purchase fresh produce and other locally made products from affected growers.
“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,” she said.
Residents can support local agriculture by visiting farm stands, farmers markets, orchards, vineyards and food businesses that use New York-grown ingredients. Consumers should also understand that severe crop losses may affect availability and prices.
Relief offers hope, but recovery will take time
The New York USDA disaster declaration gives affected growers an important opportunity to seek help after an unusually destructive spring. It also recognizes that extreme weather can threaten an entire agricultural season in only a few hours.
Still, the designation is the beginning of the recovery process—not the end. Farmers must apply, document their losses and meet federal lending standards. State and federal leaders should now work to ensure producers receive clear instructions and timely decisions.
Affected growers should contact the Farm Service Agency promptly. Other New Yorkers can help by continuing to buy locally and supporting the farms that keep rural communities and regional food systems alive.
