GOVERNOR PATERSON URGES NEW YORK FARMERS TO REPORT CROP DAMAGE TO TRIGGER FEDERAL EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

Farms in 22 New York Counties Hit Hard by Monday’s Hail Storm

Governor David A. Paterson today coordinated with New York’s congressional delegation and U.S. Department of Agriculture to urge farmers to document their crop losses so that the state may apply for federal disaster relief for those areas which were hit the hardest following a severe hail storm earlier this week. Damage was incurred in a swath of 22 counties across New York State when storms featuring large hail, high winds and excessive rain damaged many agricultural crops.

Farmers must report their crop losses to the USDA Farm Service (FSA) in order to be eligible for emergency assistance. To date, the State has received damage reports from Albany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Columbia, Dutchess, Erie, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Monroe, Onondaga, Orange, Orleans, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, Ulster, Wayne and Westchester Counties.

In order to receive disaster assistance, farmers must contact their local USDA Farm Service (FSA) office and report any crop losses. FSA will in turn notify the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Governor Paterson will request the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designate those requested counties as disaster areas. Once the declaration is made, farmers within those and adjacent counties can be considered for low-interest emergency loans from the FSA. FSA considers each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available, repayment ability, and other eligibility requirements.

“Our farmers were dealt a severe blow this week. The hail storms that traveled across the State damaged fruits and vegetables alike, and in some cases, will hinder farmers’ ability to put food on our tables this summer,” said Governor Paterson. “As we continue to assess the damage here in New York, I am committed to reaching out to USDA and our federal delegation to ensure that New York farmers receive the full benefit of federal disaster programs, and that these programs are administered in a swift and efficient manner.”

Following Monday’s storm, Governor Paterson directed New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker to personally inspect damage on farms throughout in the State. Following two days of touring farms in Wayne and Genesee Counties – two of the hardest hit on Monday – Commissioner Hooker reported back to Governor Paterson on the extent of the damage to this season’s harvest, and the affect that damage will have on the financial stability of the families that count on that produce for their livelihood.

Specifically, the storm damaged strawberries that have just come into season, along with cherries that are nearing ripening. Immature tree fruits – such as apples, peaches, pears and plums – have been permanently damaged and are no longer sellable on the fresh market. More time will be required to assess damage to vegetables, field crops, and berries because of the stage of growth. In most cases, if the crop is destroyed beyond recovery, June is too late to replant. If the crop is able to recover, it is still unlikely to be ready for an early season harvest and farmers will lose that market opportunity as well.

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said: “Mother Nature delivered a body blow to Upstate farmers on Monday, who now face destroyed crops, damaged equipment and a financial nightmare. Farmers are the backbone of our economy, and when they’re hurting, our entire region suffers. I encouraged the USDA this week to make Upstate New York a top priority in gathering data on the damages so that the state can quickly determine if it needs a disaster designation. I’m joining Governor Paterson today to urge our farmers to report their crop losses to the USDA's Farm Service Agency as quickly as possible so damage assessment can be completed -- and federal aid via USDA can be pursued.”

U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton said: “Monday's hail storm hit our farmers especially hard. Farmers have not only had their crops battered and their equipment damaged, they are now left with serious financial challenges as a result. New York’s agriculture industry plays a key role in the economic vitality of the State, which is why it is critical that farmers act quickly in contacting their local USDA field offices to get the assistance they need. I will work with Governor Paterson to do whatever is needed to help ensure that our farmers aren’t left to carry the burden of recovery on their own.”

Commissioner Hooker said: “Crops are extremely vulnerable to adverse weather at this point of the growing season. Tender leaves and vines can be simply shredded and young fruit on trees are easily marked by hail and permanently ruined for the fresh market. Therefore it is imperative that farmers document their losses to their local USDA FSA office and crop insurance agents in order to receive the assistance available.”

Another potential option for New York farmers is a new supplemental bill in the recently passed federal Farm Bill called the Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Assistance Program. While regulations for this program have not been written at this time, this first of its kind program is projected to provide up to $1 billion for the next five years for significant crop losses due to adverse weather. The intent of this program was to eliminate the ad hoc programs that have been passed annually in response to various agricultural disasters.

Monday’s storm essentially followed the Route 104 and Route 20 corridors across New York State, starting outside of Buffalo and continuing into the Hudson Valley, wreaking havoc on a variety of agricultural crops along the way with large sized hail and high winds.

Agriculture is one of New York’s largest and most vital industries, encompassing 25 percent of the State’s landscape and generating more than $3.6 billion for the State’s economy each year. New York has 7.6 million acres of farmland with 35,000 farms. The State is also a leader in a variety of farm products, ranking first in cottage cheese, second in apples and cabbage, and third in milk, maple syrup, grapes, sweet corn, snap beans, and cauliflower.