FOLLOWING DEVASTATING FREEZE EVENT THAT COST NY FARMERS $30+ MILLION IN CROP LOSS, CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN DEMANDS USDA SECRETARY ROLLINS APPROVE IMMEDIATE DISASTER DESIGNATION

Following Devastating Freeze Event that Cost NY Farmers $30+ Million in Crop Loss, Congressman Pat Ryan Demands USDA Secretary Rollins Approve Immediate Disaster Designation

A major frost event in April caused significant damage to fruit buds across New York State - including growers in Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties - and is estimated to have cost farmers more than $30 million

Last week, Congressman Pat Ryan joined Governor Hochul in requesting that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) administer a USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation

Ryan, alongside Senators Gillibrand and Schumer, is demanding that Secretary Rollins instate the disaster declaration immediately, allowing Hudson Valley farmers to access millions in emergency relief and resources following devastating crop loss

WASHINGTON, DC - This week, Congressman Pat Ryan - joined by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer - sent a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins demanding that she approve federal aid for New York fruit and specialty crop growers facing mass crop loss after an April frost that damaged the early growth of fruits and vegetables.

The letter follows New York Governor Kathy Hochul's request for a Secretarial disaster designation, which would give affected farmers access to low-interest emergency loans, as well as requests from Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, and Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. 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 growers potentially losing anywhere from 15 to 100 percent of their crops to the frost.

"The frost this spring was absolutely devastating to our farmers and growers in the Hudson Valley. Hearing and seeing the damage firsthand makes clear we need urgent action. One of our apple growers told me they lost close to 90% of their crop," said Congressman Pat Ryan. "Our community needs the USDA to step up and do their job - now. An official Disaster Designation would unlock millions of dollars in emergency grants and resources to help farmers and growers begin to recover from the estimated $30 million loss. I am fighting tooth and nail to make sure Secretary Rollins understands the on-the-ground impacts and acts with urgency."

"In April, Crist Bros. Orchards experienced an extreme freeze, for many hours, when some apple trees were already in full bloom. Crop loss and damage are extensive, despite the use of many frost protection wind machines. The damage ranges by site and variety from 100% loss, to a partial crop with frost scarred apples. We are grateful for the support of our representatives, USDA's past assistance, and request assistance for this freeze event that has affected farms up and down the east coast," said Jeff Crist of Crist Brothers Orchards.

"Porpiglia Farms, Inc. is currently projecting a harvest of only approximately 25% of a normal crop yield due to significant crop losses resulting from the April 20th freeze. Despite the reduced production, the costs associated with growing and maintaining the crop remain largely unchanged," said Domenic Porpiglia, Porpiglia Farms, Inc. "We must continue to invest in essential agricultural practices, including irrigation, pest and disease management, fertilization, pruning, and harvesting, to preserve and maximize the remaining viable fruit. Labor costs also remain a significant expense and cannot be reduced in proportion to the crop losses. As a result, the farm faces substantially reduced revenue while many of the same operating costs continue."

"We are seeking disaster relief assistance to help offset these substantial input, labor, and crop-loss-related costs. Financial support is critical to sustaining our farming operation through this challenging season and ensuring the long-term viability of the farm despite the severe reduction in crop production caused by this weather-related disaster," Porpiglia continued. "While low-interest loan programs may provide temporary assistance, they are not the solution many growers need. Taking on additional debt does not address the losses already incurred and only increases the financial burden on family farms. Farmers need direct disaster relief and immediate financial assistance to recover from this catastrophic event and continue producing food for our communities.

"The freeze in April came at one of the most vulnerable moments in the growing season and was devastating for our farms, particularly for our orchards and vineyards, with losses of as much as 90% of the crop for some farms. In touring several farms afterward, I saw firsthand the extent of the damage and heard directly from growers who are deeply concerned about the financial impact to their businesses, their workers, and their families," said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. "Our agricultural sector is essential to our food security and our local economy, and our farmers cannot shoulder these losses alone. We ask USDA to act swiftly on New York State's request for a Secretarial Disaster Designation so our growers can access the support they urgently need. I want to thank Congressman Ryan, as well as Senators Gillibrand and Schumer, for their advocacy to get this needed assistance for our farmers."

"Farmers are the backbone of New York's economy, but as climate change worsens, extreme weather events are becoming more common and are wreaking havoc on growers across the state," Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said. "These frost events are devastating for New York's specialty crop and fruit sector, and a Secretarial disaster designation would help ensure that impacted growers have the resources they need to recover. I urge USDA Secretary Rollins to swiftly consider and approve New York's request in order to bring relief to farmers across New York."

"From the vineyards of the Finger Lakes to the orchards of the Capital Region, New York's farms are the heart of our economy. But this past April, they suffered from a devastating freeze that severely damaged crops, which had already started growing due to a warmer winter," said Senator Schumer. "That's why I'm calling on USDA Secretary Rollins to swiftly provide New York's farms with a disaster designation so our farmers can unlock the critical emergency relief funds they need. I will always fight to protect and support impacted farms across Upstate New York."

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.

The full letter to Secretary Rollins is included below:

Dear Secretary Rollins,

We write to you in strong support of specialty crop producers across New York who were adversely impacted by cold temperatures and a severe frost event in April. As a result, many New York farmers are facing significant damage and crop loss this season. We respectfully urge your swift consideration and approval of a Secretarial Disaster Designation as requested by Governor Hochul.

Warmer than normal temperatures created conditions for fruit crops to bloom early and for other specialty crops to start growing early. April's frost had temperatures easily reaching below freezing and badly damaged the early growth of buds and shoots. This disaster has significantly impacted New York farmers growing specialty crops, particularly apples, grapes, stone fruit, pears, and strawberries, as well as early vegetables such as onions. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets estimated an economic loss of more than $30 million to date with growers facing anywhere from 15 to 100 percent crop loss.

A Secretarial Disaster Designation will unlock resources, such as emergency loans, for farmers across New York so that they can begin the process of recovering. We support the state's request for a Secretarial Disaster Designation for 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.

We are grateful for the prompt attention that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has historically given to support New York farmers. In that spirit, we urge you to swiftly approve New York's request.

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