6 events in Passaic County with a date

Sherrill seeking aid for farmers

April freeze caused millions in crop losses

By: Katie Sobko
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... Governor Mikie Sherrill is taking steps to help the state's farmers in the wake of catastrophic April weather.
..... The governor announced on wandnesday, May 20, [2026] that she had sent a letter to the head of the federal Department of Agriculture looking for relief in the wake of crop losses due to cold April temperature.
.... Sherrill's letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Booke Rollins requested a secretarial disaster designation - relief aid - because early estimates indicate crop losses of at leas $300 million.
..... The governor noted that temperatures in early spring were consistently warm, which leads to fruit trees and crops flowering earlier than normal. Then,between April 19 and 22, [2026] a steep drop-off with lows in the 20s led to the destruction of crops during a "critical development stage.
..... The damage was widespread, Sherrill, wrote affecting Garden state peaches, cherries, pears, grapes, plums, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, apple and other crops.
..... New Jersey farmers reported losses approaching or exceeding 90%, Sherill wrote.
..... The state's Department of Agriculture reviewed the loss assessment and found that damage exceeded the 30% crop loss disaster threshold required to qualify for federal assistance, Sherrill wrote.
..... "New Jersey's grower urgently need to recover, sustain their operations and protect the state's agricultural capacity for seasons ahead," Sherrill said.

Booker joins aid request

..... Senator Cory Booker backed up the request, saying the "freeze was unlike anything our growers have experienced in decades, and the damage is staggering.
..... "An entire season of peaches, apples and grapes were almost entirely decimated in a mater of hours," he said.
..... "Many other fruits are also suffering significant losses."
..... Sherrill told Rollins the state's agriculture sector produces more than $1.5 billion in wholesale value annually and supports more than 25,000 jobs.
..... The governor also declared a state of emergency to "preserve farm operations, stabilize local economies and protect New Jersey's agricultural capacity for future seasons."

..... Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com

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