Booker, Kim Urge USDA to Approve Disaster Designation for Devastating April Freeze in New Jersey

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) are urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to swiftly approve New Jersey's disaster designation request following catastrophic crop losses caused by an unprecedented April freeze. Early summer-like temperatures, followed by a sudden drop into freezing cold, killed the blooming buds on fruit trees, vines, and bushes across the state. Growers are now reporting extensive or near-total losses across key crops, including peaches, apples, grapes, blueberries, pears, cherries, plums, and strawberries. Winegrowers may also face multi-year setbacks due to vine damage.

In a letter, Booker and Kim stressed that a freeze of this severity has not occurred in decades and that growers are facing devastating financial strain. They urged USDA to move quickly so producers can access low-interest emergency loans and other federal assistance needed to recover.

The lawmakers emphasized that swift approval of the disaster designation is essential to ensuring Garden State producers can begin rebuilding and preparing for future seasons.

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary Rollins,

We urge you to quickly approve the disaster designation requested by New Jersey's Farm Service Agency to unlock federal relief for farmers devastated by highly anomalous freezing temperatures in April 2026.

Early summer-like temperatures in April, including temperatures above 90 degrees, caused trees, vines, and bushes to begin to bloom. A sudden dip below freezing temperatures then killed the vulnerable blooming buds.

The impact of this freeze has been extensive and disastrous, nearly entirely wiping out this year's peach, apple, and grape crops in New Jersey. Further, winegrowers may experience an additional year of crop loss from vine damage. Approximately half of New Jersey's blueberry crop has been decimated, and significant losses have also been reported for pears, cherries, plums, and strawberries. We expect damage to other crops to be revealed as well.

The severity of this weather event is largely unprecedented-a freeze of similar consequence has not occurred in many decades. Growers are in desperate need of support.

Please move swiftly to approve New Jersey's disaster designation request, which would allow producers to access low-interest loans and other assistance from USDA. We look forward to working with you to ensure Garden State growers can recover quickly from this severe disaster.

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