Federal Disaster Designation for Hudson Valley Farms

We are relieved to hear that the federal government will provide assistance to our region's farmers who had their crops devastated by the late frost in April. 

According to the Daily Freeman: "A disaster declaration for Ulster, Dutchess, Columbia and Greene counties was granted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in response to a catastrophic spring freeze that severely damaged early-blooming crops like apples, cherries and other stone fruits.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the declaration on Saturday morning, July 25. The designation enables farmers affected by the frost to apply for low-interest emergency farm loans to cover their losses and could pause repayment requirements on already existing loans."

Thank you to our elected leaders for making the case for our farmers in Washington D.C., especially Governor Governor Kathy Hochul, Congressman Pat Ryan, Senator Michelle Hinchey, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serrino and Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. But for their tenacity, it's likely this designation would not have materialized.