ADAI urges producers to report crop damage following recent freeze

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - With a recent cold snap potentially impacting farms across the state, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries is encouraging specialty crop producers to report any crop damage to their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Office.

According to initial reporting from ADAI, early-season fruit bearing crops were among the hardest hit by recent freezing temperatures, and producers in several regions reported losses to early varieties of peaches and plums.

While some specialty crops like strawberries and satsumas appear to have largely avoided major impacts, some growers reported noticing minor bloom loss.

ADAI Commissioner Rick Pate said reporting crop damage is crucial for maintaining the necessary information to seek out any available federal disaster assistance funds.

“Freeze events like the one we experienced last week can have a serious impact on Alabama’s specialty crop growers,” Pate said. “We strongly encourage producers who experienced damage to contact their local FSA office and report those losses.

For more information or to report damage, producers can contact their local USDA FSA office.

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