New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has declared a state of emergency after mid-April weather caused roughly $300 million in agricultural losses, news outlets report.
A mid-April warm spell caused fruit trees and crops to flower earlier than usual, leaving them vulnerable. When temperatures plunged into the 20s between April 19 and 22, crops froze and died. Farmers are expected to lose 100% of some crops.
Ms. Sherrill, a Democrat, declared a state of emergency across all 21 counties Wednesday to stabilize the local economy and farm operations.
“This executive order mobilizes a whole-of-government recovery effort out of Trenton, cutting through bureaucracy and accelerating results for impacted farmers and families,” the governor said in a statement.
