USDA disaster declaration brings aid to Suffolk County oyster farmers

Suffolk County oyster farmers got a federal lifeline as the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared the county a natural disaster area, unlocking emergency loans for growers battered by a winter that damaged harvests, boats and equipment across Long Island’s aquaculture industry.

The USDA Farm Service Agency issued the designation on May 18 for Suffolk County, with Nassau County, New London County in Connecticut and Washington County in Rhode Island also eligible as contiguous counties. The declaration covers damage from a severe stretch of “Freeze, Ice Floes, and Tidal Surge” that ran from January 26 through February 23, 2026.

New York estimated the aquaculture industry’s combined losses at $2.4 million after heavy snowfall and multi-week severe freeze conditions hit Suffolk County operations in February. State officials said severe ice conditions damaged oyster harvesting operations and also took a toll on boats and equipment, a hit that can ripple through dockside businesses, local seafood buyers and restaurants that depend on a steady spring and summer supply.

Gov. Kathy Hochul requested the USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation for Suffolk County on April 6, and later announced that USDA had issued the declaration. The move gives affected producers access to low-interest emergency loans that can be used to replace essential items, reorganize a farming operation or refinance certain debts.

The timeline matters for growers trying to plan for the next harvest cycle. USDA set the application deadline for emergency loans at December 21, 2026, giving producers months to document damage and submit requests. For many shellfish businesses, that recovery window is likely to stretch well beyond a single season, especially after ice damage to harvesting gear and vessels.

Under Secretary Richard Fordyce said impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center, and Clark Putnam said farmers should timely report crop, livestock and farm infrastructure damages and losses. USDA also told producers to file Notices of Loss and to document damage with records, inventories, receipts and photos to speed assistance.

The declaration is a significant development for Suffolk County’s coastal economy, where oyster farming is more than a niche business. In bay communities across Long Island, winter damage can stall harvests, reduce supply to buyers and delay the return of income that supports growers, dockworkers and seafood-related businesses well into the year.