Virginia farmers devastated by late spring frost may be eligible for federal aid

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia farmers whose crops were devastated by the late spring frost may be eligible for federal disaster assistance.

On Thursday, June 26, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved her request for federal disaster assistance, which she made after many Virginia farmers whose livelihoods were harmed by the late spring frost and freeze events.

A warm early spring allowed for the beginnings of development in many farmers’ crops — but widespread freezing temperatures swiftly followed, with temperatures on some March and April nights hitting the 20s.

“According to reports provided by Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE), losses are well above the 30% disaster trigger as a result of these freezing temperatures, with some growers anticipating a 100% loss,” Spanberger’s office said in a June 26 press release.

A total of 104 Virginia localities — or about 78% of all of Virginia’s counties and cities — are listed within the newly-issued Secretarial Disaster Declaration. This is broken down into 43 primary natural disaster localities and 61 contiguous localities.

Thirty-two Central Virginia counties and cities are listed, including:

• Albemarle County
• Amelia County
• Brunswick County
• Buckingham County
• Caroline County
• Charles City County
• Charlottesville
• Chesterfield County
• Cumberland County
• Dinwiddie County
• Essex County
• Fluvanna County
• Goochland County
• Greene County
• Greensville County
• Hanover County
• Henrico County
• King and Queen County
• King William County
• Lancaster County
• Louisa County
• Mecklenburg County
• Middlesex County
• New Kent County
• Nottoway County
• Orange County
• Petersburg
• Powhatan County
• Prince Edward County
• Prince George County
• Richmond County
• Sussex County

If you are a farmer in any of the included localities, you may be eligible for emergency loan assistance, credit extensions and other relief programs. As of Thursday, you have eight months to apply for this aid.

“These programs provide essential assistance to farmers who now face the prospect of paying for inputs, labor and debt-service for crops that will not yield a harvest and generate income in 2026,” Spanberger’s office said. “We encourage impacted farmers and growers to contact their county USDA FSA office to review eligible disaster assistance programs and begin any necessary application processes.”

You can find the full list of localities within the declaration here.