Pennsylvania officials are urging the USDA to expedite federal disaster assistance after an April freeze caused widespread damage to specialty crops across the state. Governor Josh Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding are requesting a Secretarial Disaster Designation and faster crop insurance processing as growers report severe losses in apples, peaches, grapes, cherries and strawberries. Early estimates suggest the state’s specialty crop industry could face between $150 million and $200 million in economic losses tied to the freeze event.

“Pennsylvania farmers are facing catastrophic losses through no fault of their own, and they deserve a federal government that moves with urgency,” said Shapiro.

The freeze hit after an extended warm period pushed many fruit crops into bloom, leaving orchards vulnerable when temperatures dropped to 19 degrees in some regions. State officials said the losses could extend beyond the farm gate, impacting agritourism, farm markets, processors and local economies that depend on specialty crop production. For growers, the speed of federal response and access to disaster assistance may play an important role in helping operations recover financially ahead of future growing seasons.

Read the full article to understand how Pennsylvania growers are seeking federal disaster support after freeze losses.

USDA RMA has already issued emergency procedures to accelerate the adjustment of losses and issuance of indemnity payments to crop insurance policyholders in impacted areas. See more from MGR-26-006: Emergency Procedures for Crops Damaged by Freeze in April 2026.