Twelve Maryland counties have been declared disaster zones following a devastating spring freeze that caused widespread crop losses across the state. The designation means local growers can now access federal aid to replace equipment and refinance debt, providing some financial relief after the damage.
The spring freeze has been a recurring story across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast this season, with Pennsylvania already reporting near-total losses on some crops. Maryland's disaster declaration adds another growing state to the list of regions hit hard by late-season cold.
For buyers sourcing from Mid-Atlantic growers, this is another data point confirming reduced domestic supply from the region this summer. Local and regional programs that relied on Maryland production may need contingency sourcing plans.