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ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Alexandria agricultural producers are among those eligible for emergency federal loans after the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated the city and dozens of surrounding jurisdictions as natural disaster areas following a devastating spring frost and freeze that swept Virginia from March 17 through May 4.
USDA Under Secretary Richard Fordyce signed the Secretarial Disaster Declaration on June 26, designating 43 Virginia counties as primary natural disaster areas and an additional 61 contiguous jurisdictions — including Alexandria — as eligible for emergency assistance. The designation, numbered 2026N00000532, came in response to a formal request submitted by Gov. Abigail Spanberger on May 27.
Alexandria is listed as a contiguous jurisdiction, meaning any producers operating within city limits are eligible even though the city was not among the primary disaster areas. Neighboring Fairfax and Prince William counties are among the primary designees. As an almost entirely urban city, Alexandria has few if any traditional farming operations — nurseries and garden centers that sell here typically grow their stock elsewhere, likely in counties already directly covered by the primary designation. Small-scale commercial growers, urban farms, or producers who sell at local farmers markets may be worth checking with the local USDA Service Center to determine whether they qualify.
The freeze event followed an unusually warm early spring that pushed shoots, buds, and blossoms on fruit trees, vines, and ornamental plants into early development — leaving them vulnerable when temperatures plunged into the 20s across multiple nights in March and April. According to the Virginia Cooperative Extension, losses statewide exceeded the 30 percent threshold required to trigger a disaster designation, with some growers reporting a total loss. Direct crop losses are estimated at between $32.4 million and $105.3 million, with total economic impact expected to be significantly higher when secondary effects on processors, retailers, and agritourism are factored in.
Hardest hit statewide were fruit crops including apples, grapes, peaches, berries, and cherries, along with small grains, nursery operations, and forestry.
"I have personally heard from farmers who said this is the worst freeze event of their lifetime," Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier said in May. "For many impacted farmers, they will lose an entire crop and a year of income."
Emergency loans through the FSA can be used to replace essential equipment or livestock, reorganize a farming operation, or refinance certain debts incurred as a result of the disaster. The agency reviews each application based on the extent of losses, available security, and repayment ability.
Alexandria producers have until February 26, 2027, to apply. Those interested should contact their local USDA Service Center or visit farmers.gov for more information, including the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool and Loan Assistance Tool.
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