Dr. Joyce Requests Emergency Agricultural Disaster Funding for Farmers Impacted by April Freeze
Letter Was Sent to Chair and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Joyce led his colleagues, whose districts were also impacted by the devastating freeze event in April 2026 in the Mid-Atlantic region, in sending a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee requesting emergency agricultural disaster funding to provide relief to farmers facing crop losses.
“Since the devastating April freeze dealt a severe blow to an industry essential to feeding our nation, I have remained in close contact with farmers across PA-13 who are still working to recover their crops and rebuild toward a successful harvest,” said Congressman John Joyce, M.D. “Committed to our farmers and fruit growers, I made a promise to fight for every viable avenue of support to ensure they have the resources and assistance needed to continue the critical work that they do. The health and resilience of our farming community is a matter of national security. I urge my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to recognize the ongoing challenges facing our farmers and invest in the support necessary to ensure their continued success and prosperity.”
BACKGROUND
In partnership with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, Congressman Joyce swiftly secured initial relief through an emergency disaster designation that gave farmers in each county impacted in Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District access to low-interest federal loans to keep their operations going.
This letter requests that the Appropriations Committee consider providing relief funds directly to farmers in either the FY27 process or as part of a supplemental funding bill this year.
Dr. Joyce was joined by 37 colleagues in sending this bipartisan, bicameral letter.
Read Congressman Joyce’s letter to the Appropriations Committee here.
Read the letter of Support from State Secretaries and Commissioners of Agriculture here.