About
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is offering up to $10 million in relief to Pennsylvania fruit growers whose crops were damaged by freezing temperatures between April 1 and April 21, 2026.
Governor Josh Shapiro secured funding for the program through the 2026-27 state budget to help growers recover from significant losses caused by the late-April freeze.
Eligibility
Eligible specialty crops that produced 30% less than expected due to freeze damage may qualify for this program.
For purposes of this grant, “eligible specialty crop” is defined as a pome fruit, stone fruit, grape, or berry grown in this Commonwealth.
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POME FRUIT Examples include, but are not limited to: |
STONE FRUIT Examples include, but are not limited to: |
GRAPES Examples include, but are not limited to: |
BERRIES (Bushes) Examples include, but are not limited to: |
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Apples |
Apricots |
Table grapes |
Blueberries |
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Pears |
Cherries |
Wine grapes |
Brambles |
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Quinces |
Nectarines |
Juice grapes |
Cranberries |
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Peaches |
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Currants |
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Plums |
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Elderberries |
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Gooseberries |
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Mulberries |
Application Requirements
Applications will be accepted from Monday, August 24, 2026 through Monday, September 21, 2026, until 11:59 PM EST.
Eligible growers are encouraged to review the program guidelines and application instructions before applying and submit their applications by the September 21 deadline.
Send application electronically to RA-AGFREEZEREIMBURSE@pa.gov or via U.S. mail to the attention of Jake Tatge at the PA Department of Agriculture, 2301 N. Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Grant applicants must:
- Specify the dates on which their eligible specialty crops were impacted by freeze events.
- Submit documentation to the Department demonstrating the type and acreage of each eligible specialty crop that experienced a loss of at least 30% of expected production due to freeze damage occurring between April 1, 2026, and April 21, 2026.
To demonstrate the type and acreage of each eligible specialty crop that was lost to freeze damage, please submit one of the following documents with your application:
- The farm number assigned to this property by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency and the commodities report (Form FSA-578) of all crops and land uses that was submitted to the FSA for this property for the 2026 Crop Year.
- A producer’s pre-acceptance worksheet from an insurer.
- A production map showing the type of eligible specialty crop in production and its acreage.
**Applicants are not required to submit the same form of documentation for each type of eligible specialty crop and its acreage.
At the close of the application period, grants from the program will be awarded on a per-acre basis according to the total number of acres of eligible specialty crop trees, bushes, and vines in production on an applicant’s eligible acreage between April 1, 2026 and April 21, 2026.
The percentage (amount) of funding awarded to each applicant will be pro-rated based on the number of applications received and the amount of funding available (total qualified acres ÷ $10M).