LANCASTER, PA — Pennsylvania fruit growers could face up to $200 million in losses after a devastating April freeze damaged orchards and specialty crops across the Commonwealth, prompting Governor Josh Shapiro on Friday to urge the federal government to speed disaster aid and crop insurance support for affected farmers.
What This Means for You
- Pennsylvania farmers could lose between $150 million and $200 million from freeze-related crop damage.
- State officials are seeking a federal disaster designation to speed financial assistance and crop insurance claims.
- Reduced fruit harvests could affect local farm markets, pick-your-own orchards, agritourism, and consumer prices.
Governor Shapiro and Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding visited Cherry Hill Orchards in Lancaster County to meet with growers impacted by the freeze, which struck after unusually warm weather caused many fruit trees to blossom early. Temperatures later dropped as low as 19 degrees in some areas, damaging vulnerable blooms critical to this year’s harvest.
Earlier Friday, Shapiro sent a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins requesting a Secretarial Disaster Designation — a federal designation that can unlock emergency assistance and low-interest loans for farmers affected by natural disasters. The governor also called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to accelerate crop damage assessments and insurance claim processing.
“My Administration has prioritized Pennsylvania agriculture from day one because we know farming powers our economy, feeds our communities, and sustains our rural communities,” Shapiro said. “Right now, Pennsylvania farmers are facing catastrophic losses through no fault of their own, and they deserve a federal government that moves with urgency.”
Damage Spreads Across Pennsylvania Orchards
The Shapiro administration said it has already spoken with more than 200 growers and agricultural stakeholders statewide to assess the extent of the damage and determine immediate industry needs.
Pennsylvania ranks among the nation’s leading producers of apples, peaches, grapes, cherries, and strawberries. Many orchards also rely heavily on agritourism and direct-to-consumer sales, including pick-your-own operations and farm markets. Officials warned that significant crop losses could ripple through local economies and related businesses.
“This freeze didn’t just damage crops — it jeopardized years of hard work and the future stability of family farms across Pennsylvania,” Redding said. “Growers are facing heartbreaking losses that will ripple far beyond the orchard or field.”
Cherry Hill Orchards owner Corey McCleaf, a fifth-generation grower, said his orchard experienced near-total losses to its apple and peach crops after the freeze struck during a critical blooming period.
“Fruit farming is a year-round investment of time, labor, and faith in the season ahead, and after a freeze like this, you can see months of work and planning impacted in just a few hours,” McCleaf said.
Farmers from Adams, Berks, and Franklin counties also joined the Lancaster County visit and reported significant crop damage tied to the freeze event.
State Officials Push for Relief
State lawmakers attending the event echoed calls for rapid federal assistance.
Sen. James Malone said Pennsylvania farmers need immediate support to survive the losses and maintain long-term stability in the industry.
Rep. Eddie Pashinski, chair of the House Democratic Agriculture Committee, said lawmakers are also exploring state-level funding options while encouraging residents to support local orchards and fruit growers.
Rep. Steven Mentzer described the situation as “a devastating loss” for fruit growers and said officials must do everything possible to help farms recover before next year’s growing season.
Long-Term Agriculture Investments
The administration also highlighted ongoing efforts to help farms adapt to severe weather and other agricultural challenges through the state’s Agricultural Innovation Grant Program. The initiative funds technology and infrastructure projects designed to improve farm resilience.
One recent grant awarded nearly $59,000 to a Bedford County orchard to install wind machines intended to protect fruit crops during freeze events.
Officials said the first round of the program distributed $10 million across 186 farms statewide, while a second round of applications requested a combined $73 million in funding.
Agriculture remains one of Pennsylvania’s largest industries, supporting more than 600,000 jobs and contributing $132.5 billion annually to the state economy, according to the administration.
The governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget includes expanded funding for agricultural innovation grants, support for the Pennsylvania Farm Bill, continued investment in local food programs, and additional resources for specialty crop growers.
Farmers impacted by the freeze can find reporting and recovery resources at Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
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