More than 750 Farms Will Receive Average of $1,300 for '98 Storms

Governor George E. Pataki today announced the release of $1 million from the New York State Crop Loss Disaster Assistance Program to help fruit and vegetable growers and other farmers still suffering from weather related disasters of 1998.

"Even though the storms hit two years ago, many of our family farms are still feeling the effects," Governor Pataki said. "This assistance represents our commitment to continue doing everything possible to help our farm families recover losses from the storms of '98."

The $1 million from the program, part of the 1999-00 State Budget, will be split among 769 farms with an average payment of $1,300 per farm.

Among commodity groups, an average payment of $1,407 will be going to 258 fruit growers; an average payment of $3,006 going to 154 vegetable growers and an average $624 payment going to 279 feed grain producers. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is administering the program.

The storms of 1998 were some of the worst in state history. In May and June of that year, massive hail and high winds wiped out onion and other vegetable crops in Orange County and various farming regions around the state.

Then in September of 1998, two storms hit central and western New York, devastating apples and other fruit crops at the peak of harvest. Apples are the largest cash crop in New York; the state ranks second nationally in apple production.

Funds from the program were distributed on a pro rata basis to qualified farmers based on the level of assistance they received from the Federal Crop Loss Disaster Program. That program paid $9 million in aid to New York State farmers.

Money from the program will typically go to pay for repair costs to buildings and equipment; reimbursement for crops lost as a result of the storms and reimbursement for losses as the result of quality downgrading of crops that survived.

"Our farmers are still hurting from losses from the 1998 storms," said State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers. "Dealing with the weather is one of the risks of farming, but when weather events are unusually severe, we must come to the aid of our farm families, especially when we can augment federal relief programs. The Governor has stood by his word after every major weather event over the past several years and come through with significant help."

Jim Allen, New York Apple Association President, said: "Apple growers in New York State are faced with extremely high costs to produce New York's outstanding apple crops each year. It can take over 10 years for a grower to see a return on his initial investment and in 1998 we found out it can take only a few minutes to completely eradicate those investments. Our industry is thankful for the NY Crop Loss Disaster Assistance Program and these payments will help the 258 fruit growers that were hit by this storm."

Kevin Bowman, New York State Horticultural Society President, said: "Weather related disasters are bad enough, but the storms of 1998 couldn't have come at a worse time for apple growers. When the storms hit on Labor Day, which is just before harvest, all of the costs associated with producing the crop had already been spent. These funds won't be a cure all but hopefully it will help those growers who were affected most by the devastating storms of 1998."

John W. Lincoln, New York Farm Bureau President, said: "Mother Nature has certainly not been the farmer's best friend the past several years. We appreciate the funds Governor Pataki has designated, with the assistance of the Senate Majority, for these individuals. However, New York Farm Bureau recognizes the financial strain that our farmers are experiencing from these tragedies and will continue to seek out financial assistance and reform of crop insurance programs."

A list of counties receiving crop loss aid is attached.

Ag & Markets Contact: Pete Gregg (518) 457-3136

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