Governor Kathy Hochul submitted a formal request for a federal disaster declaration on May 29 to assist New York farmers facing over 30 million dollars in crop losses. Freezing temperatures dropping below 23 degrees in late April severely damaged budding fruit crops across Western New York and the Hudson Valley. The unseasonable cold snap followed a period of unusual warmth that had prompted early blooms in local orchards and vineyards.
Erie County Apple and Grape Harvests Impacted
The agricultural impacts are widespread across Erie County and neighboring Niagara County. Growers are reporting significant damage to primary and secondary fruiting buds on apple trees, grapevines, and stone fruits like peaches and cherries. State surveys indicate that some local operations are facing anywhere from a 15 percent to a complete 100 percent loss of their seasonal yield. Early vegetable crops including onions also sustained heavy damage during the freeze.
Extreme Weather Challenges for Local Vineyards
The April freeze proved especially challenging for regional vineyards producing varieties like Chardonnay and Riesling. Unusually hot weather earlier in the spring caused rapid bud development, leaving green grape tissues entirely exposed to the sudden drop in temperature. Many farm operators attempted to mitigate the damage by lighting open fires in their fields, but the extreme cold still destroyed vulnerable shoots. While the vines will survive by producing secondary shoots, these replacement buds typically yield significantly less fruit.
Disaster Relief Options for New York Farmers
A Secretarial Disaster Designation from the United States Department of Agriculture would unlock vital emergency resources for producers. Eligible farmers in affected primary and contiguous counties would gain access to low interest emergency loans through the Farm Service Agency. These funds are essential for agricultural operations trying to survive the season and prepare their fields for the following year. Producers have an eight month window from the date of a formal declaration to apply for these relief programs.
What Happens Next
The United States Department of Agriculture is currently reviewing the state request and plans to issue a decision on the disaster designation within the coming weeks. Farmers in Erie County and Niagara County should begin documenting their specific crop losses and gathering sales records from previous years. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets will continue surveying damage throughout June 2026 to update the total economic impact figures.