RICHMOND, VA (Rocktown Now) — Governor Abigail Spanberger is calling on the federal government to provide emergency assistance to Virginia farmers after widespread spring freeze events caused major crop losses across the Commonwealth.

This week, Governor Spanberger sent a request to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins urging the USDA to expedite disaster assistance for farmers impacted by unseasonably cold temperatures in March and April.

According to the Governor’s Office, several weeks of unusually warm early spring weather caused fruit trees, grapevines, ornamental trees, and small grain crops to begin developing ahead of schedule. That warm stretch was followed by multiple nights of freezing temperatures across Virginia, with some areas dipping into the 20s.

Reports from Virginia Cooperative Extension indicate losses well above the 30 percent disaster threshold required for federal assistance, with some growers expecting to lose their entire crop.

Preliminary estimates from Virginia Cooperative Extension place direct losses from the freeze events between $32.4 million and $105.3 million. State officials said the overall economic impact is expected to grow significantly once future income losses and broader ripple effects are calculated.

“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,” Governor Spanberger said in a statement.

The governor said her administration is continuing to identify state resources while working with federal partners to secure a Secretarial Disaster Designation that would make affected farmers eligible for federal recovery programs.

Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier said the administration has been in direct contact with farmers, agriculture organizations, Extension agents, and the Virginia USDA Farm Service Agency to document damages and assess both immediate and long-term impacts.

“I have personally heard from farmers who said this is the worst freeze event of their lifetime,” Frazier said. “For many impacted farmers, they will lose an entire crop and a year of income.”

Industry leaders across Virginia’s agricultural sector also warned of the lasting impact the freeze could have on growers and producers.

Virginia Vineyards Association President AJ Greely said vineyards and wineries across the state are expected to produce fewer grapes and less wine in 2026, but growers are working with state leaders to improve research and vineyard practices to better prepare for future weather events.

Meanwhile, Glaize Apples owner Phil Glaize Jr. said many apple and peach orchards experienced severe crop losses during the freezes.

“They have never seen orchards so void of fruit that some blocks will not even be picked,” Glaize said.

Despite the losses, growers remain hopeful that support from agriculture agencies, industry partners, and employees will help Virginia’s farming community recover ahead of next year’s growing season.