TRENTON, N.J. — Three Republican state lawmakers plan to introduce legislation that would provide direct financial assistance to New Jersey farmers who suffered crop losses during a severe freeze in April.
State Sen. Parker Space and Assembly members Dawn Fantasia and Michael Inganamort, who represent parts of Morris, Sussex and Warren counties, said the legislation would establish a one-time Emergency Crop Loss Relief Program within the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
The proposed program would provide grants or reimbursements to farmers for verified crop losses resulting from the April 19-22 freeze. The legislation would include a per-farm funding cap and a streamlined application process and would authorize the Department of Agriculture to adopt emergency regulations to expedite assistance.
The lawmakers said unseasonably warm temperatures caused crops to bloom early before a hard freeze damaged blossoms and developing fruit across the state. They estimated the agricultural losses at about $300 million.
“New Jersey’s farmers are why we earn the nickname the ‘Garden State’, and they experienced catastrophic losses through no fault of their own,” said Senator Space. “Many invested an entire season’s worth of labor and resources only to see their crops destroyed by a single weather event. This legislation will provide the emergency assistance they need to recover and continue feeding New Jersey.”
The lawmakers said farmers had already spent money on labor, fertilizer, equipment and irrigation before the freeze damaged their crops, leaving some facing ongoing expenses with little or no harvest to sell.
“In talking with farmers from District 24 and throughout the state, the need for direct financial assistance is crystal clear,” said Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, a member of the Assembly Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee. “The spring freeze produced devastating agricultural production losses and the legislature needs to step in to help ensure the viability of our farms.”
New Jersey received a disaster designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture following the freeze, allowing eligible farmers affected by the event to seek federal emergency loans. The lawmakers said their proposal is intended to provide direct state assistance to help cover losses not addressed by federal programs.
“These are hardworking families and small businesses that had already invested heavily in this year’s crop, only to watch months of work disappear in a matter of hours,” said Assemblyman Michael Inganamort. “We cannot undo the freeze, but we can make sure a temporary disaster doesn’t become a permanent loss for the farms and communities that depend on agriculture. This legislation is about giving New Jersey farmers a fighting chance to recover and plant again next season.”
The lawmakers said New Jersey’s agricultural industry generates more than $1.5 billion in annual wholesale value and supports about 25,000 jobs statewide. They warned that without additional assistance, affected farms could be forced to reduce operations, lay off workers or close.
The proposed legislation is modeled on a disaster relief framework New Jersey used in 1999 after prolonged dry weather and severe drought caused significant agricultural crop losses.
