Following severe winter weather that caused extensive damage, New York is requesting that five counties in central New York be designated as USDA disasters.
Numerous farms in the area experienced equipment damage, including collapsed barns, and cattle losses. The National Weather Service reports that extreme winter weather events caused more than 180 inches of snow, ice, and strong winds to northern and central New York State between January 6 and February 25, 2025.
Oneida, Lewis, Herkimer, Oswego, and Madison counties will benefit from the proclamation, according to Governor Kathy Hochul. Additionally, affected farms would be eligible to seek for emergency loans thanks to the classification.
“This damage has upended the futures of farms as they face tens of millions of dollars in economic impact,” Governor Kathy Hochul stated. Consultation with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Cornell Cooperative Extension offices of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Oneida County revealed that over 60 agricultural sites suffered damage estimated at $15 to $20 million, according to the governor’s office.
