USDA Declares Maryland Agricultural Disaster Following April Freeze
Maryland farmers devastated by a late April freeze are now eligible for federal disaster assistance. Governor Wes Moore announced Monday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has officially issued a Secretarial Disaster Declaration for the state after an April 21 freeze caused widespread crop losses across Maryland.
The freeze struck after several weeks of unusually warm weather, with temperatures suddenly dropping into the low 20s as many fruit trees and other perennial crops were emerging from winter dormancy. State officials say the damage was severe, with crop losses exceeding the 30 percent threshold required for a federal disaster declaration.
The situation has been made even worse by ongoing drought conditions. Much of Maryland remains under severe to extreme drought, placing additional financial strain on farms already dealing with reduced or lost harvests.
By: Dianah Gibson
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