By Blake Jackson
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Cherry Hill Orchards in Lancaster County to meet with growers dealing with severe crop losses caused by the April freeze.
During the visit, the officials highlighted the urgent need for federal assistance to help Pennsylvania farmers recover from widespread agricultural damage.
Governor Shapiro recently sent a letter to Brooke Rollins requesting a Secretarial Disaster Designation for the affected areas. He also urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to accelerate disaster aid and speed up crop damage assessments so farmers can begin filing insurance claims sooner.
State officials continue assessing the full extent of the losses while working with agricultural organizations and Penn State Extension to gather early data.
According to preliminary estimates, Pennsylvania’s specialty crop sector may face economic losses ranging from $150 million to $200 million due to the freeze.
“My Administration has prioritized Pennsylvania agriculture from day one because we know farming powers our economy, feeds our communities, and sustains our rural communities. Right now, Pennsylvania farmers are facing catastrophic losses through no fault of their own, and they deserve a federal government that moves with urgency,” said Governor Shapiro.
“I’ve called on USDA to cut through delays, expedite the disaster declaration, and ensure farmers receive the assistance and crop insurance support they need to recover and keep their operations moving forward. We will continue to have the backs of our farmers and make sure we explore every option at our disposal to help them through this crisis.”
Secretary Redding emphasized the long-term impact the freeze could have on family farms and local economies across the state.
“This freeze didn’t just damage crops – it jeopardized years of hard work and the future stability of family farms across Pennsylvania,” said Secretary Redding.
“Cherry Hill Orchards’ story is one we are hearing in every corner of the Commonwealth. Growers are facing heartbreaking losses that will ripple far beyond the orchard or field, impacting local economies, farm markets, processors and packagers, and the families who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.”
The visit included orchard owner Corey McCleaf, whose apple and peach crops experienced near-total losses after temperatures fell to 19 degrees following an early spring warm-up that triggered blossoming.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-kasinv
Categories: Pennsylvania, Crops, Government & Policy