Governor Sherrill has declared a State of Emergency across all 21 New Jersey counties, effective immediately, following an estimated $300 million in agricultural losses caused by a severe cold snap in April.
The freezing temperatures, which occurred between April 19 and April 22, followed a heat wave, impacting crops at a critical developmental stage. Assessments by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and the Farm Service Agency indicate farm crop damage exceeding thirty percent in many areas, with some growers facing 100% losses for specific crops.
Executive Order No. 18 initiates sweeping interagency coordination to alleviate financial burdens, stabilize local economies, and protect the state's agricultural capacity. Governor Mikie Sherrill said, "New Jersey's agricultural sector is a vital engine of our economy; it is the very reason we bear the name the Garden State. The April freeze caused serious damage to our growers, and those losses demand decisive action."
New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn added that the declaration "cuts through bureaucracy and opens the door to immediate assistance for our tree fruit and berry growers, while laying the groundwork for broader relief ahead." The State of Emergency also grants temporary regulatory flexibility to facilitate recovery efforts, with impacts from the event still evolving.