U.S. Reps. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) and John Joyce (R-PA) this week highlighted federal disaster relief efforts for Pennsylvania farmers following a devastating freeze that damaged orchards and specialty crops across the commonwealth in April.
“Our farmers cannot control the weather, but Washington can make sure they are not left to shoulder these losses alone,” said Rep. Bresnahan, who hosted U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on May 26 for a roundtable discussion with farmers, community leaders, and agricultural stakeholders impacted by the April 20-21 freeze.
Following the meeting, Rollins signed a Secretarial Disaster Declaration for Pennsylvania that will make affected farms eligible for low-interest emergency loans and additional federal disaster relief resources to help manage operational costs and mitigate losses.
“The April freeze devastated orchards and specialty crop producers across Pennsylvania and this declaration will help get critical relief to the growers who keep our communities fed and our agricultural economy strong,” Rep. Bresnahan said. “I’m grateful to Secretary Rollins for working with us to deliver support for Pennsylvania farmers.”
Secretary Rollins said the designation is intended to help producers recover from severe crop losses.
“Fighting for our farmers means being there for them when Mother Nature hits, today we are showing that USDA stands with Pennsylvania agriculture — and we will continue working to ensure producers have the support they need to recover and move forward,” Rollins said.
Rep. Bresnahan last week joined bipartisan members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation, including Rep. Joyce, in urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to approve a disaster declaration statewide.
In a May 15 letter sent to Rollins, lawmakers warned that Pennsylvania’s specialty crop industry could face between $150 million and $200 million in losses due to prolonged freezing temperatures that damaged apple, peach, and pear orchards.
Meanwhile, Rep. Joyce said on May 27 that Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and Perry counties received a disaster declaration following continued engagement with the USDA, and noted that additional counties are expected to be included as federal officials continue reviewing documentation from across the state.
“After following up directly with USDA regarding the status of additional requests, I am encouraged that more counties are expected to receive this critical designation in the coming weeks,” Rep. Joyce said. “As the USDA releases more information, I will continue monitoring this situation closely and work alongside Secretary Rollins to ensure that every eligible fruit grower receives the support that they need.”
In a separate statement issued May 26, Rep. Joyce thanked USDA for approving assistance for counties in his district. The assistance is essential, he added, and will ensure that impacted producers have access to critical emergency resources to protect the future of their operations.
“As they navigate these unprecedented challenges, I am grateful to Secretary Rollins for her immediate response to our request,” said Rep. Joyce. “This is a step in the right direction for our growers.”