Hail storm destroys orchards in Wayne

In the wake of a devastating hail storm Monday, Senator Michael F. Nozzolio called on Governor David Paterson to declare Wayne County a disaster area in need of state and federal resources.

Dozens of farms and fruit growers were impacted by the storm, and early estimates are that the storm may have wiped out a third of New York's apple crop.

Nozzolio held an emergency meeting June 18 with Patrick Hooker, Commissioner of the State Department of Agriculture, to discuss the States plan of action to provide aid to the farmers and growers affected by the storm.

After the meeting, Nozzolio praised Governor Paterson and Commissioner Hooker for providing attention to the matter and responding quickly in the aftermath of the storm.

'Many of the crops have been destroyed in Wayne County, the fruit are bruised and damaged and rotting on the ground. We have not seen devastation like this in a long time,' said Nozzolio.

'The agricultural industry is critical to the Wayne County economy and has been ruined by the storm. We cannot let the farms and orchards of Wayne County fail because of the destruction caused by the hail storm.'

Wayne County is the second largest apple producing county in the entire United States. Farmers who have been impacted by the hail storm should immediately contact their local Farm Services Agency to utilize the crop insurance program.

By declaring the site of the storm a disaster area, both state and federal assistance will be made available to local farmers who have been affected by the storm.

'In last year's federal Farm Bill that was enacted, funding was included to provide federal relief to farmers that have a crop disaster such as this. It is critical that Senator Schumer, Senator Clinton, and Congressman Walsh work to secure this disaster recovery funding for the farmers of Wayne County, continued Nozzolio.

Private insurance is not going to cover the losses to the farmers. In fact, it is estimated that the agricultural community will only be able to recover 10 percent of their losses through insurance policies.

'It is imperative that immediate assistance be provided to the farmers and growers of Wayne County,' he concluded.

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