A late-April cold snap has created significant uncertainty for the 2026 fruit season, and could mark one of the most damaging weather events in the history of of the county, said Biglerville’s Hollabaugh Bros. Farmers Market Business and Market Manager Ellie Hollabaugh Vranich.
Hollabaugh said freezing nights in April struck at especially vulnerable moments—after unusually warm March temperatures in the 80s and 90s had accelerated early growth.The freezes hit when peaches were in full bloom and apples just past peak bloom, leaving crops highly exposed. “Once warm weather gets the trees started, you can’t stop them,” she said.
While it is still too early to determine the full impact, Hollabaugh said losses are already evident across nearly all fruit crops, and the event could prove to be the worst in the farm’s history.
“There are losses across the board,” she said, while cautioning that it is too soon to draw firm conclusions about total yield. Growers are still seeing signs of developing fruit and remain hopeful that some harvest will be possible.
Although the damage is severe, its extent varies widely depending on location, and farms across Adams County may report different outcomes.
Hollabaugh noted the reduced supply is likely to affect both fresh fruit and processing markets.
Despite the challenges, she emphasized that local farms are continuing to plan for the season and will depend heavily on community support.
“We’re here, we’re fighting to stay,” she said, encouraging residents to buy local produce as it becomes available this year.
