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New Jersey Governor Declares State of Emergency After April Freeze Damaged Significant Portion of Crops in State
Sherrill asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture for disaster aid after losses to peaches, cherries and other crops exceeded 50%, officials said.
- On Wednesday, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency across all 21 counties following severe freezing damage to agricultural crops in April, taking immediate effect to facilitate recovery efforts.
- A prolonged warm spell caused fruit trees to flower prematurely, leaving crops vulnerable when temperatures plunged between April 19 and 22, destroying blossoms and newly forming fruit at a critical developmental stage.
- Farmers reported losses approaching or exceeding 90% for various crops, with early estimates suggesting damages could top $300 million, decimating an entire season of peaches, apples, and grapes.
- Sherrill wrote to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins requesting a secretarial disaster designation, which would unlock federal relief dollars to help growers recover losses and stabilize the state's agricultural sector.
- New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn said the order "cuts through bureaucracy and opens the door to immediate assistance," enacting interagency coordination to minimize financial harm across affected farms.
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16 Articles
New Jersey seeks federal relief after April cold front decimated farmers' crops
New Jersey farmers suffered $300 million in crop losses in April, prompting Gov. Mikie Sherrill to declare a state of emergency on Wednesday. New Jersey is seeking relief from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
·Philadelphia, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left4Leaning Right2Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 36%
C 46%
R 18%
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