Glenn County Agricultural Commissioner Requests Disaster Declaration as a Result of Freezing Temperatures

GLENN COUNTY – On June 10, 2022, the Glenn County Agricultural Commissioner, Marcie Skelton, requested a disaster declaration designation for the County of Glenn from the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture.

During the week of April 11, 2022, Glenn County experienced sustained freezing temperatures ranging from 31.6-31.96 degrees Fahrenheit from 6:00 a.m. on April 12, 2022, until 1:00 a.m. on April 13, 2022. The severe weather conditions affected crops and significantly impacted 2022 harvest yields for local walnut, olive, cherry and boysenberry growers. Growers reported a 5-50% crop loss for walnuts (averaging 34% loss countywide), a 50-100% crop loss for olives (averaging 56% loss for table olives and 51% loss for oil olive countywide), a 90% crop loss for cherries and a 67% crop loss for boysenberries.

Based on Glenn County’s 5-year average yield and price comparisons, estimated dollars lost per crop are valued at $53,691,041 for walnuts, $18,455,403 for olives, $168,750 for cherries and $62,040 for boysenberries. This equates to an estimated $72,377,234 in financial loss to Glenn County growers.

A previous request was made on April 13, 2022 by Agricultural Commissioner Skelton for a disaster declaration designation as a result of a frost event that occurred on February 24, 2022 and its effect on the almond crops. The impact of the February event revealed a 60% loss in overall almond crop production in Glenn County with an estimated $148,709,129 financial loss for Glenn County almond growers. This request was still pending at the time the information was reported.

The two events combined have a $221,086,363 impact on local growers. Downstream impacts will also be felt by hullers, dryers, processors, millers, pesticide and fertilizer applicators, pesticide and fertilizer dealers and labor contractors. 

If the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture declares the events a local disaster, it would avail potential funding opportunities to affected growers through the United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Services Agency.