Press Releases

Binghamton, NY – Following a push led by U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) and other New York Members of Congress, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced an agricultural disaster designation for all eleven counties in New York’s 19^th Congressional District and 20 other counties in New York. The designation is in response to freeze and frost during the month of May, which caused significant damage and losses to crops across New York.

This disaster designation allows farm operators to be eligible for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. Farmers in eligible counties have 8 months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans. More information on the loan application process can be found here.

To speak to local FSA staff, contact the New York State FSA office in Syracuse at (315) 477-6300, or find your nearest county office here.

Rep. Molinaro said, “This is vital step toward recovery. May’s frost didn’t just destroy crops, in many cases it removed the ability of farm families to make a living. I pushed for this designation to unlock federal resources so these farmers can make it through this rough patch.”