Fruit growers affected by freezing temperatures in April can apply for assistance through Pennsylvania’s new $10 million Fruit Grower Freeze Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant Program.
The program, funded in the state budget, is intended to help growers recover from crop losses caused by freezes between April 1 and April 21. Applications are open through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 21.
Eligible growers must show they lost at least 30% of their expected production of qualifying crops because of the freeze, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
Qualifying specialty crops include pome fruits, such as apples and pears; stone fruits, including peaches and cherries; as well as grapes and berries. The program applies to growers across Pennsylvania, including those in Franklin County.
State Rep. Chad Reichard (R-Franklin) said he co-sponsored legislation to direct emergency funding toward growers whose crops were damaged by the freeze.
The freeze disrupted fruit production across Pennsylvania’s fruit-growing regions, affecting apple crops and reducing yields of peaches, cherries, strawberries and grapes, according to information shared by Reichard.
Grant awards will be calculated on a per-acre basis using the number of eligible acres of fruit trees, bushes and vines that were in production during the April freeze period. Final award amounts will be prorated based on the total number of qualified acres submitted statewide and the $10 million available for the program.
Applicants must document the eligible crop type and acreage affected by the freeze. The department will accept a USDA Farm Service Agency farm number and 2026 commodities report, a producer pre-acceptance worksheet from an insurer, or a production map showing crop types and acreage.
Applications may be submitted electronically to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture online or mailed to the department. Program information, application instructions and required documents are available through the department’s Fruit Grower Freeze Disaster Assistance Recovery Grant webpage.
Federal assistance is also available following USDA disaster designations covering 58 Pennsylvania counties. Eligible growers may seek low-interest emergency loans and receive expedited damage assessments needed to complete federal crop insurance claims. Franklin County was included among counties eligible for federal assistance related to the spring freeze.
