Governor Sherrill sent a letter to Secretary Brooke Rollins of the United States Department of Agriculture, supporting a request for a Secretarial Disaster Designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, seeking to unlock critical federal relief for New Jersey growers facing devastating losses following an unprecedented April freeze event.
In mid-April 2026, New Jersey experienced an unusual weather sequence that devastated the agricultural sector. A prolonged warm spell pushed temperatures above 90 degrees in some areas, causing fruit trees and crops to flower earlier than normal. That warm period was immediately followed by a sharp temperature drop, with lows in the 20s recorded across parts of the state between April 19 and April 22. The timing was particularly destructive as crops were at a critical developmental stage when the freeze hit, resulting in severe injury to blossoms and newly forming fruit.
The damage was widespread, affecting peaches, cherries, pears, grapes, plums, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, apples, and other crops across the entire state. Some farmers reported losses approaching or exceeding 90 percent. In several regions, the losses may prove season-ending for key fruit crops.
Loss assessments reviewed by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture confirm damage exceeding the 30 percent crop loss disaster threshold required to qualify for federal assistance. Considering those findings and early estimates placing total statewide losses at or above $300 million, Governor Sherrill is urging Secretary Rollins to declare the federal designation New Jersey's growers urgently need to recover, sustain their operations, and protect the state's agricultural capacity for seasons ahead.
Source : nj.gov