Pennsylvania seeks federal aid after April freeze damages specialty crops
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro requested a USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation for all counties after below-freezing temperatures on April 21, 2026, damaged specialty crops across the state. Early estimates place possible economic losses for Pennsylvania’s specialty-crop industry at USD 150 million to USD 200 million.
Image credit: Way Fruit Farm
Shapiro sent the request to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins on May 8, saying the freeze damaged numerous crops after several weeks of warm early-spring weather had advanced blossoms on fruit and ornamental trees.
Some farms recorded temperatures about -7 to -5°C (low 20s°F), while affected crops included peaches, cherries, apricots, pears, strawberries, grapes, many apple varieties, Christmas trees, landscape crops and nursery crops.
Reports submitted by growers to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture put losses above the 30% disaster trigger, with some growers anticipating a complete loss.
The Governor’s Office said the administration had engaged with more than 200 growers and agricultural stakeholders and was working with Penn State Extension to collect early industry assessments.
Shapiro and Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Cherry Hill Orchards in Lancaster County on May 8, where the Governor’s Office said apple and peach crops suffered near-total yield losses after overnight temperatures dropped as low as -7°C (19°F) in parts of Pennsylvania.
Field reports from the wider Mid-Atlantic showed similar crop vulnerability during the same freeze period.
AccuWeather reported that Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, Maryland, recorded temperatures near -4°C (25°F), with farm manager Ben Butler estimating losses of about 60% of apple flowers and early fruit, about 40% of cherries, and about 80% of blackberries. Growers used irrigation, row covers, controlled flames, and helicopters to protect crops during the freeze.
In his letter, Shapiro said a disaster designation would open access to low-interest USDA loans to help growers manage the continuing cost of orchard, vineyard, and tree maintenance and provide bridge assistance as they prepare for the 2027 growing season.
Pennsylvania officials said a clearer understanding of long-term impacts would emerge in the weeks ahead.
References:
1 Governor Shapiro, Secretary Redding Call for Expedited Federal Support for Pennsylvania Growers Impacted by Devastating Crop Freeze – Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – May 8, 2026
2 MGR-26-006: Emergency Procedures for Crops Damaged by Freeze in April 2026 – USDA/RMA – May 8, 2026
3 Spring freeze delivers widespread crop losses across mid-Atlantic farms – AccuWeather – April 24, 2026
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