By SHAWN STREET, shawn@virginiamediainc.com
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger and Ninth District Congressman Morgan Griffith are seeking federal aid for farmers impacted by an unseasonably cold spring.
Virginia saw several weeks of warm weather in the early spring that pushed shoots, buds, and blossoms on fruits, vines, and ornamental trees, and promoted development in small grain crops.
Following this warm period, the Commonwealth saw widespread freezing temperatures, with some areas recording temperatures in the 20s across multiple nights in March and April. According to reports provided by Virginia Cooperative Extension, losses are well above the 30 percent disaster trigger as a result of these freezing temperatures, with some growers anticipating a 100 percent loss.
Preliminary VCE direct loss estimates for commodities impacted by the March and April 2026 freeze events are in the range of $32.4 million to $105.3 million pending further developments. When future income and ripple effect losses are eventually incorporated, total losses are expected to be exponentially higher.
“As a result of the unseasonable cold impacting farms across Virginia, Virginia farmers are facing catastrophic crop losses through no fault of their own and are in desperate need of a federal disaster declaration to receive immediate assistance,” said Spanberger.
She added, “While we continue to identify state resources at our disposal to assist our farmers and growers, I’ve called on USDA to declare a Secretarial Disaster Designation to make sure farmers receive the assistance and support they need to recover and keep their operations viable until the next crop year. We look forward to working with our federal partners to make sure these farmers receive the support they need.”
Griffith echoed Spanberger’s call for relief.
“In wake of Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger’s request to the federal government for expedited disaster assistance for Virginia farmers, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith is part of a Virginia Congressional delegation effort to urge U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to approve expedited disaster assistance,” a statement from Griffith’s office read. “Agriculture is a focal point of the economy for Ninth District communities,” Griffith stated. “This spring, farmers in our region faced a mix of frost and freeze events that resulted in devastating crop losses. Local farming businesses are in danger of suffering harmful economic consequences.”
Griffith added, “As someone who serves rural and agricultural communities, I will continue to advocate for policies that help Virginia farmers, cattlemen and foresters.”
