Federal agricultural officials declared all 21 N.J. counties natural disaster areas after a mid-April freeze

Federal agricultural officials declared all 21 N.J. counties natural disaster areas after a mid-April freeze, which allows them to apply for low-interest emergency loans. In May, Gov. Mikie Sherrill declared a state of emergency after at least $300 million in agricultural damages were lost from freezing temperatures between Apr. 19 and Apr. 22. The estimates were made by the N.J. Department of Agriculture and the Farm Service Agency County Committees. The loans can be used to replace essential farm items, reorganize operations, or refinance debts, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

From NJ Spotlight News.