Late spring snow is devastating Northeast farms
Damaged farms are rare throughout New Jersey and the Northeast, destroying apples and peaches and causing an estimated $300 million in losses. Farmers say the damage is a disaster as they seek help from the government and urge communities to support local agriculture.
Farmers across the Northeast are facing serious losses after a rare frost in late April destroyed hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of crops, wiping out all apple and peach harvests in some areas.
At Terhune Orchards in Princeton, New Jersey, orchard owner Tanwen Mount says the damage is unlike anything her family has experienced before.
“It’s been a real disaster for our entire region, not just here at Terhune Orchards,” Mount said.
Generally, spring in the orchard is marked by budding apple trees and the start of the busy growing season. But this year, many trees are showing little signs of life after temperatures drop during the critical growing season.
PAST NUMERICAL LOSS OF FARMERS IN THE NORTH-EAST
A bare peach tree at Turhane Orchards (Peter Cuddy)
Agriculture officials say the snowfall is likely to be severe.
“This is what we call snow,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn. “It’s almost like a hundred-year storm – almost a perfect event.”
According to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, farmers across the state lost an estimated $300 million worth of fruit crops due to the snow. Apples and peaches were among the most affected.
New Jersey agriculture officials estimate that farmers have lost nearly $300 million in crops after the ice destroyed apple and peach orchards across the state. (Fox Stories)
Mount says the spread of the damage makes this season very difficult.
“We have never lost so many plants at one time this season,” he said.
NEBRASKA RANCHERS STRUGGLE TO BRING BACK FROM HISTORIC WINNER AS DROUGHT HURTS
The cold snap also impacted neighboring Pennsylvania, one of the top peach-producing states, raising concerns about reduced purchases of the fruit throughout the Northeast and beyond.
Pennsylvania and New Jersey rank among the nation’s top producers of peaches, raising concerns about the region’s fruit shortages after a history of freeze-damaged fruit trees in the Northeast. (Fox Stories)
“There will be no peaches in this region,” Wengryn warned.
In response to these losses, New Jersey Governor Mikey Sherrill called for disaster relief to help struggling farmers stay afloat.
State officials say low-interest federal loans can provide critical support as farmers try to recover while they have little or no produce to sell.
CONGRESS SHOULD NOT END THE SHIPPING LIFE OF AMERICAN FARMERS
“It’s an inexpensive source of capital that can help you pay your bills and carry you through this growing season,” Wengryn explained. “Because you won’t have a product to sell to keep your next year going.”
Despite the damage, some farmers are finding ways to adapt.
At Terhune Orchards, Mount says heavy crops like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and greens can help offset some of the losses.
Terhune Orchards says it relies on frozen fruit. (Pete Cuddy)
“We’re in the middle of our strawberry season. Blueberries and blackberries are looking good, and this is the year to pick your own vegetables,” Mount said. “So we’re doing things slowly.”
He also encourages consumers to support local agriculture during a difficult year for farmers across the region.
“This is the year to really support your local farmers,” said Mount. “Go out and buy local products.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
The US Department of Agriculture recently announced aid to help Pennsylvania farmers affected by the snow. USDA officials say New Jersey’s request is still under review.
