Pennsylvania State Leaders Urge Federal Aid Following Devastating Crop Freeze
State officials in Pennsylvania are calling for federal disaster assistance after a severe freeze in April caused significant damage to the state's fruit crops. The freeze, which occurred after several weeks of warm weather, affected a variety of fruit operations including peaches, cherries, apricots, pears, strawberries, grapes, and apples. The economic losses for Pennsylvania's special crop industry are estimated to be between $150 million and $200 million. Governor Josh Shapiro emphasized the importance of agriculture to the state's economy and the need for urgent federal support. The freeze has led to near-total losses for some farms, such as Cherry Hill Orchards in Lancaster County, which does not expect any revenue until the fall of 2027. The state is also working with Penn State Extension to assess the damage and support farmers in filing crop insurance claims. 
