Freeze devastates New York farms after April cold snap

Sources include NYSDAM and USDA

A late‑April Arctic blast delivered severe damage to fruit farms across New York, wiping out large portions of the 2026 crop and leaving growers bracing for long‑term financial losses. Temperatures plunged to 21°F in parts of the Hudson Valley on April 21, a level growers say they have never seen during full bloom.

Following an early bloom due to warmer than normal temperatures, frost conditions in late April significantly impacted many apple, stone fruit, grape, and strawberry grower operations in the state. To better understand the situation, NY ag commissioner Richard Ball visited several local growers in the Hudson Valley.

New York’s Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball toured damaged orchards and vineyards in early May. Image credit - NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets

Dressel Farms in New Paltz reported to local media outlets what it believes is a catastrophic loss of its entire apple crop, noting that frost‑protection measures — including helicopters, fires, and fans — were “essentially useless” against such extreme cold. Growers across the region echoed similar concerns, saying the damage may not be fully known for weeks.

The freeze was part of a broader cold event affecting perennial crops across multiple states, prompting the USDA’s Risk Management Agency to authorize emergency procedures to speed crop‑insurance adjustments for farms facing total losses. These measures apply to all New York counties impacted by the freeze.

Farmers say the best way the public can help is by supporting local orchards and farm markets as they navigate what may be one of the most damaging spring freezes in decades.