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Terhune Orchards lost 100% of its peach crop. Same with the cherries and Asian pears.
That’s not just a bad season, that’s the whole season — gone.
And Terhune isn’t alone. Across the state, fruit growers are looking at the worst spring they’ve seen in decades, after a four-day freeze in April wiped out crops that had budded early during a warm spell. Governor Mikie Sherrill has declared a state of emergency in all 21 counties. The damage estimate: roughly $300 million.
If you’ve been wondering why the Jersey peach stand on your usual route hasn’t opened yet — this is why.
What Actually Happened
A mid-April heat wave pushed fruit trees into bloom earlier than usual. Then, between April 19 and April 22, temperatures dropped into the low 20s. Buds and young fruit didn’t stand a chance.
It hit peaches, cherries, pears, plums, grapes, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, apples, and barley. Basically — if it flowers in early spring in Jersey, it got hit.
Farm Service Agency assessments show crop damage above 30% in many parts of the state, with some growers reporting 100% losses on certain crops.
Stephen Rowand, who runs third-generation Rowand’s Farm in Glassboro, told Fox29 the wipeout of his cherry crop “has never happened in my lifetime”.
Why This Matters
Jersey is the fourth-largest peach producer in the country. The peach isn’t just produce here – it’s a whole vibe. Roadside stands, handmade ice cream, pies in August, things we know and love Jersey for.
This summer, a lot of that disappears.
Expect fewer peaches at farm stands. Higher prices on what does show up. Some pick-your-own orchards may not open at all. The same goes for cherries, blueberries, and apples down the line.
What’s Being Done
Sherrill’s emergency declaration unlocks state-level support and is a prerequisite for federal aid. She’s also sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins formally requesting a Secretarial Disaster Designation – the federal mechanism that opens emergency loans and relief funds for farmers.
Whether that money comes through, and how fast, is the open question. Farmers have already lost the crop. What they’re trying to save now is next year’s farm.
The New Jersey Farm Bureau and the state Department of Agriculture are coordinating loss reporting with growers across the state.
What You Can Do
Buy from Jersey farms anyway. Even with a wrecked stone fruit season, most farms still have plenty to sell – vegetables, flowers, baked goods, dairy, you name it. This is the year your local farm stand needs the foot traffic more than ever.
A few specific things that help:
- Show up. Drive to Mercer County. Drive to Hunterdon. Drive to Salem. Spend money at Terhune, Rowand’s, and the dozens of family farms you only think about in August.
- Skip the supermarket peach. When peaches do show up, they’ll likely be from Georgia or California. If you want to support Jersey growers, ask where the fruit was grown — and pay the premium.
- Watch for farm fundraisers. Several operations are already organizing community events to bridge the gap. Follow them on Instagram and show up.
The Take
Jersey peaches will come back. The trees are still standing. Next year’s bloom is already on the calendar.
But the people who grow them might not all make it to next year without help. A 100% crop loss isn’t a rough quarter — it’s a year of zero revenue for a business that still has to pay its workers, its bills, and its equipment loans.
So this summer, when you can’t find a Jersey peach, remember why. And next August — when they’re back, dripping down your chin like they’re supposed to — remember how close we came to losing the farms that grow them.
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Sources:
NJ Governor’s Office
World Population Review
