Pennsylvania fruit growers who suffered significant crop losses during April’s damaging freeze have until 11:59 p.m. Monday to apply for a share of up to $10 million in state disaster assistance.
The Pennsylvania Fruit Grower Freeze Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant program is intended to help growers whose crops were damaged by freezing temperatures between April 1 and April 21.
Adams County is one of Pennsylvania’s major fruit-producing areas and home to numerous apple, peach, and other specialty-crop operations.
Funding for the program was included in Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 state budget following widespread damage from the spring freeze.
To qualify, growers must have eligible specialty crops that produced at least 30% less than expected because of freeze damage.
Covered crops include pome fruits such as apples, pears and quinces; stone fruits including peaches, cherries, apricots, nectarines and plums; table, wine and juice grapes; and berries including blueberries, cranberries, currants, elderberries, gooseberries and mulberries.
Applications have been accepted since Aug. 24, with Monday, Sept. 21, the final day to submit them.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture recommends that growers review the program guidelines and application instructions before filing.
Completed applications can be submitted electronically to [RA-AGFREEZEREIMBURSE@pa.gov](mailto:RA-AGFREEZEREIMBURSE@pa.gov).
Applications may also be sent by U.S. mail to Jake Tatge, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, 2301 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg, PA 17110.
Additional information, program guidelines and application materials are available through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website.
Source: pa.gov