Pennsylvania will open a $10 million disaster-relief program Aug. 24 for fruit growers facing an estimated $150 million to $200 million in losses from a spring freeze, Gov. Josh Shapiro reported Thursday during a visit to an Adams County orchard.
The Fruit Grower Freeze Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant Program will accept applications through Sept. 21 from Pennsylvania producers who lost at least 30% of their expected crop production because of freezing temperatures between April 1 and April 21.
Eligible crops include apples, pears, peaches, cherries, grapes and berries. Applications may be submitted by mail or email, with detailed instructions scheduled for publication Aug. 22 in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and on the Department of Agriculture’s website.
Growers can find program information at www.pa.gov/cropfreeze.
The $10 million appropriation was included in Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 budget. State officials estimate the freeze caused losses across the specialty-crop industry worth 15 to 20 times the amount available through the grant program.
“While I know these grants won’t cover all of our farmers’ losses, they’re another step in the right direction,” Shapiro stated.
The governor and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Three Springs Fruit Farm, where owner Ben Wenk estimated the farm lost half its apple crop and experienced a sharp decline in peach production.
The farm typically wholesales about $7,000 worth of peaches each week during the season but has not sold $7,000 worth of peaches throughout the entire season, according to the administration.
“This year’s apple harvest has begun, but our harvest numbers are down significantly and we’ve had to reduce some of our staff,” Wenk stated.
Other Pennsylvania growers reported nearly complete apple-crop losses, while peaches, cherries, strawberries and grapes also sustained significant damage, according to the Agriculture Department.
Sarah Zost, president of the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania, indicated the grants could help farms meet immediate operating expenses.
“The $10 million in aid will be put to work immediately to cover harvest payroll and the required expenses of tending to our orchards,” Zost stated.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued disaster designations covering 58 Pennsylvania counties, making affected growers eligible to seek low-interest recovery loans and accelerated damage assessments for crop insurance claims.
Pennsylvania officials are also pursuing a statewide federal disaster declaration, additional crop insurance flexibility and federal block grants that would allow states to tailor assistance to damaged fruit crops and growing regions.
The federal Risk Management Agency has expanded certain insurance options for apple growers, but Pennsylvania officials are seeking similar relief for other specialty crops.
The state has also requested a crop insurance program for processors and packers and is coordinating with New York, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey to seek additional federal grant funding.
The Shapiro administration reported that it has consulted with more than 200 growers and agricultural stakeholders, including Three Springs Fruit Farm and Cherry Hill Orchards in Lancaster County.
Pennsylvania has more than 48,800 farms, with agriculture contributing over $132 billion annually to the state economy and supporting nearly 600,000 jobs, according to the administration.
The state ranks fourth nationally in apple, grape and peach production, fifth in strawberries and sixth in cherries.
The 2026-27 state budget also includes $10 million for agricultural technology grants, $13.8 million for Pennsylvania Farm Bill programs and $5 million from an existing avian influenza fund for farmer education.
Source - https://www.mychesco.com
