New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has declared a state of emergency across all 21 counties following an April freeze that caused an estimated $300 million in crop losses—one of the state’s most devastating agricultural losses in recent history.
Sherrill signed the executive order Wednesday and sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins requesting a Secretarial Disaster Designation, which would unlock federal relief for affected farmers.
The damage traces back to an unusual weather pattern last month. A prolonged warm spell pushed temperatures above 90 degrees in parts of New Jersey in mid-April, causing fruit trees and crops to flower earlier than normal. However, disaster struck when temperatures subsequently plunged into the 20s between April 19 and 22—hitting crops during vulnerable stages of development.
As we previously reported, the freeze devastated fruit crops across the state, including peaches, cherries, pears, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, and apples. Some farmers reported losses approaching or exceeding 90%. A cherry farmer in Glassboro lost an entire season’s worth of crop. His farm will not open for 2026 as a result.
“The April freeze caused serious damage to our growers, and those losses demand decisive action,” Sherrill said in a statement. “This executive order mobilizes a whole-of-government recovery effort out of Trenton, cutting through bureaucracy and accelerating results for impacted farmers and families.”
The declaration follows a preliminary assessment by the state Department of Agriculture in coordination with the state’s Farm Service Agency County Committees. New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn encouraged residents to support farmers during recovery by buying local.
The state is now awaiting a response from the USDA on the federal disaster designation request. If granted, it would provide additional financial relief to growers already facing pressure from inflation, rising fuel costs, and operating expenses.