SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND: AFTER LATE MAY DEEP FREEZE DESTROYED VINEYARD & ORCHARD CROPS ACROSS UPSTATE, NEW YORK OFFICIALLY SUBMITS FOR FEDERAL AGRICULTURE DISASTER DESIGNATION; SENATORS CALL ON USDA TO QUICKLY APPROVE DESPERATELY NEEDED AID TO FARMERS AS HARVEST SEASON BEGINS

Press Release

"Upstate New York's vineyards and orchards are the beating heart of our agricultural and tourism economy, but now as harvest season begins we are beginning to see the severe impacts of this past May's deep freeze. From the Finger Lakes to the Hudson Valley, Capital Region to the Southern Tier, many of our family owned farms lost a majority of their crop for grapes, apples, blueberries, and other fruits that are vital to our agricultural and tourist economy and they need relief now. With New York's disaster application now submitted for 31 counties -- exactly half of the counties in the state -- I am urging the USDA to swiftly provide the vineyards, orchards, and farms now facing detrimental damage with a Secretarial Disaster Designation to unlock emergency relief funds. We can't leave New York's beautiful orchards and renowned wine country out in the cold right as harvest season begins. The USDA must do everything in their power to provide swift relief to our hardworking growers and I will keep fighting to deliver that support."

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