Feds OK ‘Disaster’ Status For NJ After Freak Spring Freeze Devastates Crops

This article was updated on June 11 with a statement from Gov. Mikie Sherrill

New Jersey’s massive crop losses this spring are officially a “disaster” as per the federal government – good news for farmers who have been left reeling in the wake of an estimated $300 million in losses.

According to U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a disaster designation for New Jersey counties following catastrophic crop losses caused by an unprecedented April freeze.

The USDA disaster designation will unlock several types of low-interest emergency loans for farmers, Booker noted.

“I’m thankful that the USDA finally approved New Jersey’s disaster declaration, recognizing the dire situation facing farmers across our state,” the senator said.

“While this is an important first step, our farmers are still desperate for more support,” added Booker, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency in May for all 21 counties.

According to the governor’s office, prolonged freezing temperatures severely impacted the Garden State between April 19 and April 22. The losses stem from a cold snap following a heat wave that struck crops precisely at a critical developmental stage – resulting in severe injury to blossoms and newly forming fruit.

Damage exceeded 30 percent in many parts of New Jersey, with some farmers anticipating “100 percent losses” for certain crops, including peaches, cherries, pears, grapes, plums, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and apples.

Early estimates suggest at least $300 million in total crop losses for growers and farmers.

Sherrill said the state of emergency declaration will help clear red tape as state officials try to mobilize a “whole-of-government recovery effort” out of Trenton. The order will also open the door for immediate financial assistance to tree fruit and berry growers – while laying the groundwork for broader relief ahead.

Sherrill also said she requested a disaster designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. New Jersey's other U.S. senator, Andy Kim, joined Booker in penning a letter of support to the USDA.

The senators wrote:

“The impact of this freeze has been extensive and disastrous, nearly entirely wiping out this year’s peach, apple, and grape crops in New Jersey. Further, winegrowers may experience an additional year of crop loss from vine damage. Approximately half of New Jersey’s blueberry crop has been decimated, and significant losses have also been reported for pears, cherries, plums, and strawberries. We expect damage to other crops to be revealed as well.”

“The severity of this weather event is largely unprecedented – a freeze of similar consequence has not occurred in many decades,” Booker and Kim said.

“Growers are in desperate need of support,” they added.

• Related: Sherrill Declares NJ State Of Emergency As Farm Industry Reels From $300M In Losses

GOVERNOR: 'RELIEF IS NOW WITHIN REACH'

Gov. Sherrill issued a statement about the federal declaration on Thursday. She wrote:

"Federal relief is now within reach for New Jersey farmers.

"After an April cold snap dealt millions of dollars in losses to farms across our state, I declared a State of Emergency and wrote to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, urging a Disaster Designation for New Jersey. Through a whole-of-government recovery effort, we secured it for all 21 counties.

"This designation makes New Jersey farmers eligible for low-interest emergency loans through the Farm Service Agency, a critical first step toward recovering from their crop losses. For a family farm, the difference between a lost season and a fresh start often comes down to whether help arrives in time.

"But government cannot do this alone. Now we must stand behind our farming community. Visit a nearby farm. Buy local. Show up for your neighbors. Every dollar spent at a New Jersey farm stand is a vote of confidence in the people who feed us.

"We will keep cutting through bureaucracy and accelerating results for the farmers and families who were hit. We got right to work, and we will keep working until our farmers are back on their feet."

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