Maryland's Spring Freeze Devastates Crops, Triggers USDA Disaster Declaration

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared a Secretarial Disaster for parts of Maryland following a damaging spring freeze. The extreme cold in mid-April caused widespread crop losses, particularly for apple, peach, and barley producers. Twelve counties have been designated as primary natural disaster areas due to the event. Temperatures in Maryland plunged into the low 20s on the morning of April 21. This sudden freeze followed weeks of unseasonably warm weather. The cold snap devastated crops, with some counties losing 94% of apple crops, 99% of peach crops, and 98% of barley crops.

The freeze also struck during an ongoing drought, worsening the impact on farms. Maryland wineries may face up to $2.4 million in losses because of the cold snap. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins noted that production losses for six more counties could not yet be determined.

The disaster declaration allows eligible farmers to apply for low-interest emergency loans and credit extensions. Affected producers are urged to contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office to check eligibility and begin the application process. The USDA’s declaration provides financial support options for struggling growers. Farmers in the 12 designated counties can now access emergency funding to recover from the freeze. The agency continues to assess the full extent of the damage across the state.