Spanberger Announces Disaster Relief for Farmers

Virginia farmers affected by devastating late spring frost and freeze events will have access to federal disaster assistance after the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved a Secretarial Disaster Declaration covering much of the Commonwealth.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced June 26 that USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins approved the designation for 43 primary disaster counties and 61 contiguous counties, making eligible farmers eligible to apply for emergency assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Loudoun County, home to numerous orchards, vineyards and farms, is among the Virginia localities affected by the late spring freeze.

The declaration follows a request submitted by Spanberger on May 27 after freezing temperatures in March and April caused widespread damage to crops across Virginia.

According to the governor’s office, several weeks of unusually warm weather prompted fruit trees, grapevines, ornamental trees and small grain crops to begin early growth before multiple nights of freezing temperatures struck many parts of the state. Reports from Virginia Cooperative Extension indicate crop losses exceeded the 30 percent disaster threshold in many areas, with
some growers expecting a complete loss of this year’s harvest.

“Virginia agriculture is the cornerstone of our economy—supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, securing our food supply, and protecting the Commonwealth’s natural beauty for future generations,” Spanberger said.

She said many farmers will not harvest another crop until the 2027 growing season and called the federal declaration “vital” to helping family farms recover from the losses.

Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier said many producers described the late spring freeze as the worst they have experienced in decades.

“Our farmers work tirelessly to put food on our tables, and this federal designation is important to ensuring they have the necessary resources for what we know will be a multi-year recovery process,” Frazier said.

The disaster declaration makes eligible farm operators in the designated counties eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency emergency loans, credit extensions and potential future disaster relief programs, provided they meet program requirements.

Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for emergency loans. The assistance is intended to help producers cover operating expenses, labor costs and existing debt after losing crops that would have generated income during the 2026 growing season.

The Spanberger administration said it worked with farmers, agricultural organizations, Virginia Cooperative Extension and the USDA Farm Service Agency to document crop damage and assess the immediate and long-term impacts of the freeze.

Impacted farmers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office to determine eligibility and begin the application process for available disaster assistance programs.