Maryland Delegation Statement on Approval of Disaster Designation for Maryland Counties Impacted by April Freeze

Today, the full Maryland Congressional Delegation - U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and U.S. Representatives Steny Hoyer, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, Sarah Elfreth, April McClain Delaney, and Johnny Olszewski (all Md.) - released the following statement on Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins' announcement declaring a Secretarial Disaster Designation in response to crop damage from the April 21, 2026 freeze and frost event. This announcement comes after the delegation sent a letter to the Trump Administration urging Secretary Rollins to act quickly to provide emergency assistance to farmers.

"Maryland farmers suffered devastating losses from the freeze and frost event in April, and it is clear they need federal support. That's why we pressed the Trump Administration to approve Maryland's request for a USDA Disaster Designation in order to unlock emergency loan funding and make emergency financial assistance programs available to impacted farmers. We're glad to see that this request was granted, ensuring our local farmers will have access to these critical resources. Our farmers support our communities and our economy, and this assistance will help them recover from the major financial losses due to this extreme weather event. We will continue to support our farmers and agriculture communities across our state."