Ulster County Legislator Laura Donovan is urging federal officials to provide disaster assistance to farmers affected by a late-season freeze that caused widespread damage to Hudson Valley fruit crops.

Donovan, D-Marlborough, praised Gov. Kathy Hochul’s formal request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture seeking a disaster declaration for New York counties hardest hit by the freeze, which occurred last month.

According to Hochul’s request to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, damage to fruit operations, including peach, grape and apple growers, is estimated to exceed $30 million.

“Swift action is essential to provide for the stability our Hudson Valley farmers need to recover from this catastrophe,” Donovan said in a statement. “While many of our largest growers have USDA crop insurance, many smaller and specialty growers do not, both will need help to prepare for next year’s growing season.”

Earlier this month, Donovan toured freeze-damaged vineyards and orchards in Marlborough with New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball and Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. She also met with local growers during a gathering at the Marlborough Community Center hosted by the town’s Conservation Advisory Committee. The meeting was attended by Marlborough Town Supervisor Scott Corcoran.