Eligible Upstate New York growers can apply for low-interest emergency loans and other federal assistance following a U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster declaration tied to damaging spring weather.
New York growers reported more than $30 million in losses after an April freeze damaged apples, grapes, strawberries, stone fruits and other specialty crops, according to U.S. Rep. Josh Riley's office.
The declaration gives eligible producers eight months to apply for emergency loans through their local USDA Farm Service Agency office.
The loans may be used to restore or replace essential property, cover production costs and family living expenses, reorganize farm operations and refinance certain debts, Riley's office said.
Some farms lost nearly their entire crop, according to the announcement. Saunderskill Farms in Accord reported that it was facing the loss of nearly half its apple crop.
Riley raised the farm's losses with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins during a June 4 House Agriculture Committee hearing and later visited the farm to inspect the damage.
Riley's office also said the House-passed Farm Bill includes provisions intended to improve crop insurance and disaster aid for apple growers and other specialty-crop producers.
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