RYAN, SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND SECURE CRITICAL USDA DISASTER RELIEF FOR UPSTATE NEW YORK FRUIT AND SPECIALTY CROP GROWERS HIT BY DEVASTATING SPRING FROST

Ryan, Schumer, Gillibrand Secure Critical USDA Disaster Relief for Upstate New York Fruit and Specialty Crop Growers Hit by Devastating Spring Frost

In April, Upstate New York Farms Suffered Crop Loss After Frost Damaged Early Growth Of Fruits And Vegetables - With Farmers Losing Anywhere From 15 To 100 Percent Of Their Crops

Following Sustained Advocacy, Ryan, Gillibrand, And Schumer Deliver The Federal Resources Upstate New York Farmers Need To Recover And Get Ready For The Next Growing Season

Ryan, Schumer, Gillibrand: Fed Relief On The Way To Help Upstate NY's Farmers!

KINGSTON, NY - After calling on the USDA to provide relief for New York farmers suffering losses following a devastating frost in April, U.S. Congressman Pat Ryan, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins heeded their call and has approved federal aid for New York fruit and specialty crop growers. 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 specialty crop growers potentially losing anywhere from 15 to 100 percent of their crops to the frost.

"The freeze this spring was absolutely devastating to our farmers and growers in the Hudson Valley. Many of our apple growers told me they lost nearly 100% of their crop. Hearing and seeing the damage firsthand made it crystal clear we needed urgent action from the USDA," said Congressman Pat Ryan. "For months, I've been pushing at every level to help secure this official Disaster Designation, which will now unlock millions of dollars in emergency loans and resources to help our farmers and growers begin to recover. I'm grateful for the USDA's action, but this is just the first step. I'll be ready to help all those who were impacted by the frost apply for and get access to this assistance, so their businesses can continue to thrive in the Hudson Valley."

"Upstate farmers work hard every season to put food on our tables and keep New York's agricultural economy growing. When April weather severely damaged crops just as they were beginning to bloom, I stood up for the farmers who were hit hardest and fought to make sure they had the federal support they needed to recover. I'm proud to announce that USDA Secretary Rollins has heeded my call to help our farmers and is making critical resources available to growers, from the vineyards of the Finger Lakes to the orchards of the Capital Region," said Senator Schumer. "I encourage farmers in impacted counties to get the assistance they need to weather this tough season and lay the groundwork for a stronger harvest next year. I'll always stand up for Upstate farmers and fight to ensure they have the resources they need to recover, keep growing, and protect New York's economy."

"I am pleased that New York State's request for a Secretarial disaster designation has been granted," said Senator Gillibrand. "I fought to secure this approval and bring home the federal resources our farmers and growers urgently needed following the loss of their crops in the devastating April frost. Now, growers in affected regions across the state can access low-interest USDA loans to help them recover. I will always fight for New York's farmers, and I look forward to seeing these federal dollars at work to bring them the relief they need and deserve."

The lawmakers last month sent a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins urging her to approve a Secretarial Disaster Designation, allowing affected farmers to apply for USDA low-interest emergency loans. The counties the lawmakers called for relief for included in the Disaster Designation are the primary counties of Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Erie, Greene, Niagara, Chautauqua, Onondaga, Orange, Putnam, Schuyler, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester, and Yates Counties, 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 Counties. The letter was also signed by Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Josh Riley (D-NY-19), and Tim Kennedy (D-NY-26). The full text of the letter can be found here.

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.

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