Chamber Chat: Maryland Agriculture Takes a Hit Amid Drought Conditions

SALISBURY, Md. – In this week’s Chamber Chat, WMDT’s Haley Rae and Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce President Bill Chambers discuss how this season’s weather is impacting the agriculture industry across the region.

Maryland has had a tough season when it comes to drought, and farmers are certainly feeling the impacts.

“The Shore’s agricultural sector is facing severe challenges this year, driven by climate extremes and land use conflicts. And we have climate volatility,” Bill tells us. “We had a severe statewide freeze back in April that caused devastation to perennial plants and crops here on the Shore.”

The April freeze prompted Governor Moore to issue directives to the Maryland Departments of Agriculture and Energy at the end of May. Further, the United States Department of Agriculture issued a disaster declaration to provide some relief to affected counties in mid-June.

Bill argues the Maryland Farm Bureau will need to continue to provide assistance to farmers as they work to implement climate smart farming practices. Agriculture is the number one industry in the state of Maryland, and Bill says we cannot underscore the importance of Maryland farmers.

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