By Blake Jackson
United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins joined U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan in Pennsylvania to announce federal assistance for farmers impacted by severe freeze conditions earlier this spring.
The USDA approved a natural disaster designation covering 17 Pennsylvania counties after below-freezing temperatures caused significant agricultural losses between April 19 and April 21, 2026.
The disaster declaration is intended to help producers recover from crop damage, particularly orchard and specialty crop growers who were heavily affected by the unexpected cold weather.
The designation allows the USDA’s Farm Service Agency to offer emergency loans and other recovery assistance to eligible agricultural operations.
“Fighting for our farmers means being there for them when Mother Nature hits, today we are showing that USDA stands with Pennsylvania agriculture - and we will continue working to ensure producers have the support they need to recover and move forward,” said Secretary Rollins.
“This designation is a first step forward to help agricultural producers access emergency loans and programs in the aftermath of freezing temperatures. Under President Trump, USDA will continue to put farmers first and make sure they have the resources they need.”
“Our farmers cannot control the weather, but Washington can make sure they are not left to shoulder these losses alone,” said Rep. Bresnahan.
“The April freeze devastated orchards and specialty crop producers across Pennsylvania, and this declaration will help get critical relief to the growers who keep our communities fed and our agricultural economy strong. I’m grateful to Secretary Rollins for working with us to deliver support for Pennsylvania farmers.”
Farmers in Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming, and York counties can apply for emergency loans through Jan. 26, 2027. USDA officials said additional disaster assistance programs and reviews for other counties remain underway.
For more information, visit https://www.farmers.gov/.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Pennsylvania, Government & Policy