Governor Moore Announces Relief for Maryland Farmers Amid Severe Drought

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ANNAPOLIS, MD — Farmers in Maryland’s central and western regions are set to receive much-needed financial relief as Governor Wes Moore announced the availability of low-interest federal loans to aid those affected by the summer's devastating drought. This relief comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) following Secretary Tom Vilsack's designation of key counties as eligible for assistance.

The prolonged drought has severely impacted crops in areas such as Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, and Washington counties, making it difficult for farmers to sustain their operations.

Financial Lifeline for Farmers in Crisis

Governor Moore underscored the importance of Maryland's agricultural sector and expressed gratitude for the partnership with the USDA, which is enabling farmers to access critical low-cost loans. “Maryland’s agricultural industry is one of our top economic drivers and supporting our farmers is critical,” Moore said. “These loans will help offset the cost of lost crops and provide another layer of assistance during tough growing seasons.”

The loans, available through the USDA’s Farm Services Agency (FSA), will help farmers recover by funding essential needs such as equipment replacement, livestock reorganization, and even refinancing certain debts. Farmers in the hardest-hit counties, such as Allegany, Washington, and Garrett, are among the primary beneficiaries.

Comprehensive Support Programs

Eligible farmers can take advantage of several USDA programs designed to address different aspects of their recovery efforts. These include:

• Livestock Forage Disaster Program
• Emergency Assistance for Livestock Program
• Livestock Indemnity Program
• Honeybees and Farm Raised Fish Program
• Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance
• Emergency Conservation Program
• Tree Assistance Program

Each of these programs is tailored to meet various recovery needs, from livestock support to conservation efforts.

Drought Devastation and Government Response

The U.S. Drought Monitor map shows that the drought has been particularly severe in western Maryland, where Allegany, Washington, and Garrett counties were hardest hit. John Sullivan, State Executive Director of the FSA, highlighted the importance of these programs, saying, “Though we never want to see farmers go through hardships such as a drought, FSA is fortunate to have drought assistance programs available.”

Farmers are encouraged to contact their local service centers to explore available resources and tailor their recovery plans to fit their individual needs.

State Leaders Encourage Farmers to Seek Assistance

Both state and federal leaders are urging affected farmers to explore the wide array of assistance programs. Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks reinforced the importance of these programs: “USDA’s federal programs are beneficial to Maryland farmers who are facing challenging financial situations. I encourage those who are affected by drought conditions to explore the many options available to help.”

Farmers can find additional information and resources by visiting their local county service centers or exploring USDA’s disaster assistance tools at farmers.gov.