ANNAPOLIS, MD—Gov. Wes Moore has issued a directive ordering immediate, coordinated state action to assist Maryland farmers reeling from a late-April freeze and an ongoing drought that have combined to threaten the long-term viability of the state’s agricultural industry.
The directive commands the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Department of the Environment to implement an urgent response to the twin environmental crises. It follows a formal request Moore sent earlier in the week to the U.S. Department of Agriculture seeking federal disaster aid, including emergency loans and supplemental relief programs.
A severe statewide freeze on April 21 caused catastrophic damage to commodity and perennial crops, resulting in historic losses for fruit and grape yields. State officials noted that the damage will require a multi-year recovery cycle for vines and orchards. In the meantime, producers must continue to pay routine labor and maintenance costs despite losing their 2026 harvest revenue…