Watch Live: Gov. Shapiro to announce $10 million in aid for Pennsylvania fruit growers after spring freeze
ASPERS, Pa. —
Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding are scheduled to visit an Adams County farm on Thursday to announce $10 million in disaster assistance for fruit growers affected by a devastating April freeze.
Watch Live: News 8 will stream the event in the video player above.
The announcement is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Three Springs Fruit Farm in Aspers.
During an event at Three Springs Fruit Farm, Shapiro and Redding will announce that eligible farmers may begin applying for Freeze Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants, according to the governor's office. The funding is intended to help growers who experienced significant crop losses.
Shapiro asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture in May to expedite damage assessments and issue a secretarial disaster declaration. The USDA subsequently granted disaster designations to 58 Pennsylvania counties.
The designations allow eligible growers to seek low-interest loans to restore their operations and receive expedited damage assessments needed to finalize crop insurance claims.
Three Springs Fruit Farm owner Ben Wenk and State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania President Sarah Zost are expected to join Shapiro and Redding. State Reps. Dan Moul, who represents the 91st District, and Eddie Day Pashinski, who represents the 121st District, are also scheduled to attend.
