ALBANY – State Senator Michelle Hinchey (D, Saugerties) is urging Governor Kathy Hochul to support legislation that will help farms recover from severe climate events, following a late freeze that devastated crops across the Hudson Valley last month.
Hinchey said the sudden drop in temperatures caused “catastrophic damage,” particularly for small and mid-size producers of grapes, apples, and stone fruits, raising concerns about the region’s upcoming harvest.
The senator is pushing to create a Farm Security Resiliency Grant Program as part of ongoing state budget negotiations. The proposal would provide financial support to farms impacted by extreme weather, helping them recover losses and remain operational into the next growing season.
Hinchey said the recent freeze underscores the lack of a sufficient safety net for farmers facing unpredictable climate events, warning that such disasters can threaten the long-term viability of local farms. She expressed hope that Hochul will back the measure to support New York’s agricultural sector and protect the state’s food supply.
“The recent freeze was devastating for our orchards and farmers, potentially causing major, if not total, crop losses this year,” Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said. “Several farmers have reached out expressing deep alarm about the severity of the damage. The health of our agricultural sector is critical to our food security and local economy, and we have to help our farmers meet the challenges they face.”
Comments