Maryland Farmers Report Massive Crop Losses After April Frost, Farm Bureau Seeks Federal Disaster Declaration

DAVIDSONVILLE, Md. — A late spring frost that hit Maryland farms in the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 21, may have cost some specialty crop growers nearly an entire season. Now, the Maryland Farm Bureau is urging federal action.

In a May 14 letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Maryland Farm Bureau President Jamie Raley said the April 20 frost came after an unusually warm spring had already pushed many crops into advanced growing stages, leaving orchards and vineyards highly vulnerable to freezing temperatures.

The Maryland Farm Bureau surveyed nearly 90 impacted producers and found an average estimated production loss of 67.5% across specialty crops covering more than 320 acres of production land. Many farms in heavily affected areas reported near-total losses of 90% or higher on their 2026 harvests. The survey identified damage across multiple counties, including Montgomery, Frederick, Carroll, Baltimore, Howard, Anne Arundel, Harford, Washington, Prince George’s and Calvert.

Preliminary reports from growers show crop losses well above the 30% threshold required for a federal disaster designation.

The hardest-hit crops include apples, peaches, wine grapes and other specialty products especially vulnerable to sudden late-season freezes following early budding.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture said April 22 that farmers across the state experienced one of the most significant crop losses in recent memory. Initial reports from growers indicated losses of up to 100% for certain fruit crops, while damage to other crops may not be fully known until later in the growing season.

Farm Bureau Requests Federal Help

Maryland Farm Bureau President James Raley said the losses have left many farmers facing the loss of a year’s income in one night.

In a formal letter, Raley said the losses have left many farmers with nothing to show for a full year of work. “Our farmers are worried, and for many, this frost represents the loss of an entire year of income in a single night,” Raley wrote. “Maryland farmers are resilient, but they cannot weather this storm alone.”

The Farm Bureau is urging affected producers to report crop losses to their local USDA Farm Service Agency office. Those reports are a key part of the federal review process for a disaster declaration.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture said it is working with USDA partners to share information about available assistance programs and encouraged affected farmers to contact their local Farm Service Agency office for guidance.

Read the full letter to Secretary Rollins by clicking here.

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Also Read: The 2026 Freeze And What It Means For Maryland Vineyards: From Corteau Vineyards — BayNet Expert Series from Corteau Vineyard published May 13, 2026.

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