Maryland's spring freeze wipes out nearly all apple and peach crops

A severe spring freeze in mid-April has devastated crops across parts of Maryland. The cold snap wiped out most apple, peach, and barley harvests in some counties, with losses reaching up to 99%. The damage has prompted urgent federal action to support struggling farmers. The freeze struck as Maryland was already grappling with severe drought, worsening the impact on local agriculture. In the hardest-hit areas, 94% of apple crops, 99% of peach crops, and 98% of barley crops were destroyed. The Maryland Wineries Association reported $2.4 million in losses for the state’s vineyards alone.

In response, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a Secretarial Disaster Declaration for 12 Maryland counties. Six more counties may qualify later, as the USDA has yet to assess their production losses in full. The declaration unlocks low-interest emergency loans and credit extensions for eligible producers.

Farmers affected by the disaster are advised to contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office. Staff will review their eligibility and guide them through the application process for financial assistance. The disaster declaration aims to ease the financial burden on Maryland’s agricultural sector. It will help cover production costs and safeguard thousands of jobs at risk due to the freeze. Farmers now have access to critical support to recover from the widespread crop losses.