Federal Disaster Declaration Approved for Virginia Farmers Impacted by Spring Freeze

Virginia farmers affected by severe spring frost and freeze damage are now eligible for federal disaster assistance following a Secretarial Disaster Declaration approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced Friday that USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins issued the declaration for 43 primary disaster counties and 61 contiguous counties across Virginia.

The primary disaster counties include Warren, Shenandoah, Rappahannock, Frederick, and Clarke counties.

The declaration follows widespread agricultural losses from freezing temperatures in March and April, after an unusually warm early spring accelerated crop growth across the commonwealth.

According to Virginia Cooperative Extension reports, some growers experienced losses exceeding 30 percent, while others are expecting complete crop failure.

“The unprecedented frost and freeze event this spring devastated farmers across Virginia, many of whom will not be able to harvest a crop until the 2027 growing season,” Spanberger said in a statement.

State officials said the damage affected fruits, vineyards, ornamental trees, and small grain crops after buds and blossoms emerged early during warmer weather, only to drop into the 20s across multiple nights.

Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier described the event as one of the worst freeze disasters many growers have seen 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 declaration makes eligible farmers able to apply for Farm Service Agency emergency loans, credit extensions, and other disaster assistance programs. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for emergency loans.

State officials encouraged affected producers to contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office for assistance and application information.