Late-spring freeze devastates Northeast farms
A rare freeze devastated farms across New Jersey and the Northeast, destroying apple and peach crops and causing an estimated $300 million in losses. Farmers say the damage is catastrophic as they seek federal relief and urge communities to support local agriculture.
Farmers across the Northeast are facing devastating losses after a rare late-April freeze destroyed hundreds of millions of dollars worth of crops, wiping out entire apple and peach harvests in some areas.
At Terhune Orchards in Princeton, New Jersey, orchard owner Tannwen Mount says the damage is unlike anything her family has experienced before.
"It was really a catastrophic loss for our whole region, not just here at Terhune Orchards," Mount said.
Usually, spring at the orchard is marked by budding apple trees and the beginning of a busy growing season. But this year, many trees are showing little sign of life after temperatures plunged during a critical stage of crop development.
PREVIOUS CROP LOSS FOR FARMERS IN THE NORTHEAST
Empty peach tree at Turhune Orchards in Princeton, NJ following the freeze (Pete Cuddihy)
Agriculture officials say the freeze hit at nearly the worst possible moment.
"This is what we call a generational freeze," said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn. "Almost like a hundred-year storm — almost a perfect event."
According to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, farmers across the state lost an estimated $300 million worth of fruit crops because of the freeze. Apples and peaches were among the hardest hit.
New Jersey agriculture officials estimate farmers lost roughly $300 million in crops after a rare late-spring freeze devastated apple and peach orchards across the state. (Fox News)
Mount says the widespread nature of the damage makes this season especially difficult.
"Never have we lost multiple crops all at once for the season," she said.
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The freeze also impacted neighboring Pennsylvania, one of the nation’s top peach-producing states, raising concerns about reduced fruit supplies throughout the Northeast and beyond.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey rank among the nation’s leading peach producers, raising concerns about regional fruit shortages after a historic late-spring freeze damaged orchards across the Northeast. (Fox News)
"There’s just not going to be any peaches from this region," Wengryn warned.
In response to the losses, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has requested federal disaster relief to help struggling farmers stay afloat.
State officials say low-interest federal loans could provide critical support as growers attempt to recover from a season with little or no fruit to sell.
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"It’s an inexpensive source of money to help pay your bills and kind of carry you through this growing season," Wengryn explained. "Because you're not going to have a product to sell to get your next year going."
Despite the damage, some farmers are finding ways to adapt.
At Terhune Orchards, Mount says surviving crops like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and vegetables could help offset some of the losses.
Terhune Orchards say they are relying on the fruit that made it through the freeze. (Pete Cuddihy)
"We’re in the middle of our strawberry season. Blueberries and blackberries look great, and this is the year for pick-your-own vegetables," Mount said. "So we’re doing things a little bit different."
She’s also encouraging consumers to support local agriculture during a difficult year for farmers across the region.
"This is the year to really support your local farmers," Mount said. "Come out and buy local produce."
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced relief assistance for Pennsylvania farmers affected by the freeze. USDA officials say New Jersey’s request is still under review.
