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WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) led members of the Pennsylvania delegation in a bipartisan letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to request Secretarial Disaster Designation after unprecedented spring weather events led to devastating economic loss for the Commonwealth’s farmers. The letter was signed by U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) and U.S. Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-5), Dan Mueser (R-PA-9), Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-6), Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA-7), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), Brendan Boyle (D-PA-2), and Scott Perry (R-PA-10).

“We write in support of Governor Josh Shapiro’s request for a Secretarial Disaster Designation for all counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in response to significant damage caused by below-freezing temperatures that impacted numerous crops across the state on April 21, 2026,” wrote the members of Congress.

Specialty crop growers across the Commonwealth experienced unseasonably warm temperatures and premature blooms followed by late spring freezes, leading to partial or total loss of their 2026 crops. Early estimates report between $150 and $200 million in economic lossesacross the industry.

Pennsylvania is a leader in the U.S. agriculture industry, and as a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Fetterman has continued to advocate for federal support for Pennsylvania farmers and their families.

Read the full text of the letter below and here.

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Dear Secretary Rollins:

We write in support of Governor Josh Shapiro’s request for a Secretarial Disaster Designation for all counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in response to significant damage caused by below-freezing temperatures that impacted numerous crops across the state on April 21, 2026.

Earlier this year, the Mid-Atlantic region experienced several weeks of warm weather, leading to fruit and trees blossoming. In late April, the commonwealth experienced extremely low temperatures, with some farmers reporting temperatures in the 20s. Growers of diverse specialtycrops–including apples, peaches, cherries, apricots, pears, strawberries, and grapes–in our commonwealth sustained significant damage to their crops from these freezing temperatures.

Pursuant to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 301, 7 U.S.C. 1961 and 1989, and implemented by 7 CFR §759, we ask that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania receive a secretarial disaster declaration.

We respectfully request your swift consideration and approval of this designation in accordance with all laws, rules, regulations, and agency policies. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or need additional information.

Sincerely,