Upstate New York Farmers Gain Access to USDA Relief

By Blake Jackson

Upstate New York farmers affected by severe spring weather will have access to federal disaster assistance after Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) secured a U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster declaration for the region.

The designation enables eligible agricultural producers to apply for low-interest emergency loans and other support through the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Growers across New York reported losses exceeding $30 million after April’s freeze, with some farms experiencing damage that wiped out nearly their entire harvest.

“After April’s freeze, growers across Upstate New York told me they were facing catastrophic losses. I took Saunderskill Farms’ story straight to Secretary Rollins because when a farm loses nearly half its crop, it still has workers to pay, equipment loans to cover, and another growing season to finance—with half the income to do it,” said Congressman Riley.

“These growers deserve support to recover, rebuild, and stay afloat until the next growing season. I worked with Secretary Rollins to get this disaster declaration approved, and we got it done.”

Following the freeze, Riley’s office gathered reports from farms across the region describing significant damage to apples, grapes, strawberries, stone fruits, and other specialty crops. Saunderskill Farms in Accord was among the hardest hit, losing nearly half of its apple production.

During a June 4 House Agriculture Committee hearing, Riley shared the farm’s situation with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and urged the USDA to approve a disaster declaration as quickly as possible.

Riley later visited Saunderskill Farms to assess the damage and discuss how federal assistance could support the farm’s recovery.

The USDA approved the request less than eight weeks later. Eligible producers now have eight months to apply for emergency loans, which can help restore damaged property, cover operating expenses, refinance certain debts, and maintain farm operations.

Riley also continues advocating for stronger long-term protections by supporting improvements to crop insurance and disaster assistance for apple growers and other specialty crop producers through the House-passed Farm Bill.

Photo Credit: usda