Cox Declares State of Emergency for Crop Losses
The order gives farmers emergency access to federal and state aid after freezes wiped out 95% to 100% of several fruit crops.
- On Friday, Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared a 30-day state of emergency in 10 counties to address crop losses caused by unseasonal freezing temperatures in April.
- Unseasonably warm conditions followed by freezing temperatures on April 3, 4, 17, and 18 caused 95% to 100% losses for apricots, sweet and tart cherries, plums, peaches, pears, and apples.
- The declaration unlocks emergency disaster relief loans and provides farmers access to resources from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.
- Kelly Pehrson, commissioner of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, thanked Governor Cox for "acting quickly on this," enabling the state to open disaster relief programs.
- Wheat and alfalfa producers also reported losses in affected counties, and the emergency order remains in effect for 30 days unless the Utah State Legislature votes to extend it.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Warm winter followed by hard freeze wipes out Utah fruit harvest in worst spring for generations
Utah's fruit growers have been hit with a devastating one-two punch this season that wiped out developing fruit. For one fourth-generation Utah County farm, the result is a season with nothing to harvest — a harsh example of how increasingly volatile weather can upend agriculture. Pyne Farms, a family-run operation that has been in business since 1903, lost its entire fruit crop this year after extreme spring weather devastated tart cherries, a…
Cox issues emergency declaration over crops lost to unseasonal weather
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has declared a 30-day state of emergency in 10 counties to address crop losses caused by unseasonal freezing temperatures in April. In an executive order signed Friday, the governor specified that freezing temperatures that occurred in…
Gov. Cox declares state of emergency due to freezing temperatures, loss of crops
UTAH, May 15, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — Gov. Spencer Cox on Friday signed Executive Order 2026-01 declaring a 30-day state of emergency in Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Iron, Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Utah, and Weber counties due to crop losses caused by freezing temperatures. Freezing temperatures on April 3, 4, 17 and 18 damaged crop production in affected areas, with weather stations recording temperatures below 26 degrees Fahrenheit for more t…
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Salt Lake TribuneCox declares state of emergency for crop losses
Governor Spencer Cox has declared a state of emergency for crop losses due to some recent freezing.
Utah governor issues emergency declaration over crops lost to unseasonal weather
Utah governor issues emergency declaration over crops lost to unseasonal weather mps-post Sat, 05/16/2026 - 11:01 Image (Utah News Dispatch) Utah Governor Spencer Cox has declared a 30-day state of emergency in 10 counties to address crop losses caused by unseasonal freezing temperatures in April.In an executive order signed Friday, the governor specified that freezing temperatures that occurred in early and mid-April caused a 95% to 100% loss…
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