SCOTT TWP, PA — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 17 Pennsylvania counties as natural disaster areas following an April freeze that damaged orchards and other agricultural operations, making affected producers eligible for federal emergency loan assistance.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the designation Tuesday alongside U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan after assessing losses tied to below-freezing temperatures that struck the state between April 19 and April 21.
The designation allows the USDA’s Farm Service Agency to provide emergency loans to producers who suffered qualifying losses, offering a source of recovery financing for farms affected by the weather event.
“Fighting for our farmers means being there for them when Mother Nature hits,” Rollins stated. “This designation is a first step forward to help agricultural producers access emergency loans and programs in the aftermath of freezing temperatures.”
The declaration applies to Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming and York counties.
Eligible producers have until January 26, 2027, to apply for emergency loans through the Farm Service Agency.
According to USDA, emergency loans can be used to replace essential equipment or livestock, reorganize farming operations, or refinance certain debts. Loan applications will be evaluated based on the extent of losses, available collateral and repayment ability.
Bresnahan described the freeze as a major setback for fruit growers and specialty crop producers across the state.
“The April freeze devastated orchards and specialty crop producers across Pennsylvania, and this declaration will help get critical relief to the growers who keep our communities fed and our agricultural economy strong,” he said.
USDA officials indicated the agency is continuing to review damage reports from other parts of Pennsylvania and is considering additional disaster designations.
Beyond emergency loans, affected producers may also be eligible for other USDA disaster recovery programs, including crop insurance assistance, conservation programs, loan servicing options and additional financial support programs designed to help farms recover from weather-related losses.
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