Farmers in 17 Pennsylvania counties will be eligible for federal disaster assistance after freezing temperatures damaged crops and caused major agricultural losses across the state.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Tuesday that she signed a disaster declaration for counties affected by below-freezing temperatures between April 19 and April 21.
The declaration allows the USDA’s Farm Service Agency to provide emergency loans to eligible producers recovering from the freeze.
Rollins said the designation is a first step toward helping Pennsylvania farmers access emergency programs and recover from losses caused by the sudden cold weather.
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The emergency loans can be used for several recovery needs, including replacing essential equipment or livestock, reorganizing farming operations, refinancing certain debts and helping producers stabilize after the disaster.
The USDA said applications will be reviewed based on the extent of the losses, available security and the producer’s ability to repay.
The counties covered by the declaration are Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming and York.
Farmers in those counties have until January 26, 2027, to apply for emergency loans.
The freeze caused significant damage to orchards and specialty crops, which are especially vulnerable during spring growing periods.
Pennsylvania officials previously estimated that the state’s specialty crop industry could face between $150 million and $200 million in economic losses from the freeze.
Rep. Rob Bresnahan praised the USDA decision, saying farmers cannot control the weather and should not be left to handle major losses alone.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro had asked the federal government earlier this month to move quickly and support affected farmers.
Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick also joined a bipartisan group of Pennsylvania lawmakers urging the USDA to approve disaster assistance.
The USDA said it is still reviewing disaster designations for other Pennsylvania counties and collecting additional data.
Producers seeking help through Farm Service Agency or Natural Resources Conservation Service programs should contact their local USDA Service Center. Farmers with crop insurance claims should contact their crop insurance agent.
Why It Matters
The April freeze hit Pennsylvania growers during a critical part of the season and could cost the state’s specialty crop industry hundreds of millions of dollars. The federal disaster declaration gives farmers access to emergency loans as they work to recover.
What Comes Next
USDA officials will continue reviewing whether more Pennsylvania counties should be added to the disaster designation. Farmers in the 17 approved counties can begin applying for emergency assistance through the Farm Service Agency.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the USDA approved an emergency disaster designation to help Pennsylvania farmers recover from devastating spring freeze damage.
Today in Pennsylvania, I announced an emergency disaster designation to help producers impacted by devastating spring freezes access emergency loans and recovery programs.
This designation is a critical first step in helping Pennsylvania farmers recover and rebuild. Under…
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) May 26, 2026
