In an internal survey by Maryland Farm Bureau (MDFB), self-reported data from Maryland producers indicates that the April 20th frost event has devastated the state’s specialty crop industry. Nearly 90 impacted growers reported an average estimated production loss of 67.5 percent across surveyed crops, with many operations in heavily hit counties reporting near total losses of 90 percent or higher.

The survey data, which covers over 320 acres of production land, highlights a perfect storm that occurred when unseasonably warm early spring temperatures were followed by a sharp, late-season freeze. Hardest hit are the state’s signature specialty crops, including apples, peaches, and wine grapes, as well as early spring vegetable starts.

In response to these findings, the Maryland Farm Bureau has sent a formal letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, requesting an expedited Secretarial Disaster Declaration. This designation is the essential trigger required to unlock federal financial assistance and emergency loans that farmers need to stay afloat.

MDFB is also emphasizing that farmers must continue to report their specific losses to their local Farm Service Agency offices to ensure the federal government has the comprehensive data needed to move this declaration forward.

“Our farmers are worried, and for many, this frost represents the loss of an entire year of income in a single night,” wrote MDFB President Jamie Raley. “Maryland farmers are resilient, but they cannot weather this storm alone.”

In addition, MDFB has been amplifying farmers who have experienced crop loss from the late April frost. In a recent #MemberSpotlight segment on social media, MDFB profiled Mike Heyser from Heyser Farms in Silver Spring, who predicts a near-total loss of apples from his small orchard. MDFB also spoke with Tom Croghan of the Vineyards at Dodon, who encouraged Marylanders to support their local farmers during this trying time.

On April 30th, MDFB President Raley released a video message concerning the frost damage, and encouraged all affected producers to report their losses to their local Farm Service Agency office.

Read the full letter to Secretary Rollins by clicking here.