U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced federal assistance for Pennsylvania farmers affected by last month's freeze during a visit to Jaindl Farms in the Lehigh Valley on Tuesday (May 26). The Department of Agriculture has approved the distribution of reserve funds to help farmers recover from the crop losses caused by the three-day freeze. Rollins emphasized the USDA's commitment to supporting farmers through difficult times, stating, "Fighting for our farmers means being there for them when Mother Nature hits."
The freeze, which occurred from April 19 to April 21, 2026, led to significant damage across 17 counties in Pennsylvania. This disaster designation allows the USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) to offer emergency loans and other programs to aid recovery efforts. Farmers in the affected counties have until January 26, 2027, to apply for these loans. According to the USDA, these loans can be used for various recovery needs, including replacing essential items, reorganizing farming operations, or refinancing debts.
In addition to the USDA's efforts, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the suspension of hours-of-service regulations for truckers in 35 states to expedite fertilizer deliveries to farms. This measure aims to ensure that farmers receive the necessary supplies to maintain their operations.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding have been actively seeking federal support for the state's farmers. They visited Cherry Hill Orchards in Lancaster County, where the freeze caused near-total losses of apple and peach crops. Governor Shapiro's administration is working with Penn State Extension to assess the damage and explore state funding options to further support the agricultural sector.
The freeze has had a significant impact on Pennsylvania's specialty crop industry, with estimated economic losses between $150 million and $200 million. The state is a leading producer of apples, peaches, grapes, cherries, and strawberries, and these losses could affect direct-to-consumer sales, agritourism, and farm employment.
For more information on available resources and assistance, farmers are encouraged to visit farmers.gov.