HARRISBURG – PA fruit growers who lost crops during a devastating late-April freeze are encouraged to apply for relief through the state’s new Fruit Grower Freeze Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant Program which was created with a $10 million investment in the 2026-27 budget, making PA the only state in the mid-Atlantic with dedicated funding to support fruit growers impacted by the freeze. The USDA has granted 58 Pennsylvania counties disaster designations, which allow growers to seek low-interest loans to restore operations and get faster damage assessments to finalize crop insurance claims. Applications will be accepted by mail or email beginning on August 24 through September 21, 2026. PA growers reported their worst losses in several generations due to the freeze, with many reporting a near 100% crop loss in apples, and serious impacts to peach, cherry, strawberry, and grape yields. It’s estimated that PA’s specialty crop industry could face between $150 million to $200 million in economic losses.
