NJ State Senator Parker Space, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, and Assemblyman Michael Inganamort (all R-Morris, Sussex, Warren) are introducing legislation to provide direct financial assistance to New Jersey farmers devastated by the historic April 2026 freeze.

The legislation would establish a one-time Emergency Crop Loss Relief Program within the Department of Agriculture to provide grants or reimbursements for verified crop losses resulting from the freeze. The bill includes a streamlined application process, a per-farm funding cap, and authorizes the NJ Department of Agriculture to adopt emergency regulations to expedite relief.

The bill responds to the unprecedented weather event that struck between April 19 and April 22, 2026, when unseasonably warm temperatures caused crops to bloom early before a sudden hard freeze destroyed blossoms and developing fruit across the state, causing an estimated $300 million in agricultural losses.

“New Jersey’s farmers are why we earn the nickname the ‘Garden State’, and they experienced catastrophic losses through no fault of their own,” said Senator Space. “Many invested an entire season’s worth of labor and resources only to see their crops destroyed by a single weather event. This legislation will provide the emergency assistance they need to recover and continue feeding New Jersey.”

“In talking with farmers from District 24 and throughout the state, the need for direct financial assistance is crystal clear,” said Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, a member of the Assembly Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee. “The spring freeze produced devastating agricultural production losses and the legislature needs to step in to help ensure the viability of our farms.”

The April freeze placed an immediate financial burden on New Jersey farmers, who had already made their annual investments in labor, fertilizer, equipment, and irrigation expenses before their crops were destroyed. Many now face debt, property taxes, insurance premiums, and payroll costs despite having little or no harvest to sell. Although the State did successfully secure a Secretarial Disaster Designation from the US Department of Agriculture which enables impacted farmers to apply for emergency low-interest loans through the federal government, direct financial assistance from the State will help fill in the gaps.

“These are hardworking families and small businesses that had already invested heavily in this year’s crop, only to watch months of work disappear in a matter of hours,” said Assemblyman Michael Inganamort. “We cannot undo the freeze, but we can make sure a temporary disaster doesn’t become a permanent loss for the farms and communities that depend on agriculture. This legislation is about giving New Jersey farmers a fighting chance to recover and plant again next season.”