This week, Governor Wes Moore stood up for Maryland’s farmers by requesting federal aid and issuing state directives following April’s Severe Statewide Freeze, announced $3 million to support small and minority-owned businesses, and signed legislation to expand housing access and strengthen education.
Governor Moore Stands Up For Maryland’s Farmers
Gov. Wes Moore has requested a federal disaster declaration to help farmers recover from their losses after temperatures dipped into the 20s in April, devastating some of Maryland’s agriculture industry.
Moore asked for the U.S. agriculture secretary to declare a federal disaster using Maryland Farm Service Agency data to back up the request. According to the agency, there were historic losses, including 94% of the apple crop, 99% of the peach crop and 98% of the barley in several jurisdictions.
In a state directive issued by Governor Moore he outlined several actions for state agencies to prioritize farmers’ economic wellbeing despite environmental uncertainty.
The Department of Agriculture shall:
- Waive the 51% Maryland crop or 20-acre minimum requirement for Class 4 Limited Wineries as authorized under the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article §2–206;
- Facilitate distribution of all available federal disaster funds and programming;
- Develop an irrigation task force for agricultural producers;
- Develop a producer education and risk management task force to elevate existing Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency programs;
- Instruct the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation to consider modifications to enhance opportunities within their programs that support farmers and watermen impacted by the natural disaster incidents; and
- Encourage all Maryland institutions, organizations, food banks and consumers to purchase local products whenever possible to support our farms and value-added agricultural businesses.
The Department of the Environment shall:
- Prioritize and streamline applications for water appropriation permits for agricultural production.
The Governor’s Intergovernmental Commission on Agriculture shall:
- Assess how state and local regulatory agencies can better support affected agricultural sectors.
Governor Moore Announced $3 Million to Support Small and Minority-Owned Businesses
On Friday, Governor Wes Moore announced $3 million in financial assistance to help small and minority-owned businesses expand and create jobs across Maryland. The funding, provided through the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority, is expected to support the creation of 72 new jobs and help retain 28 existing positions.
State officials said the financing includes loans and equity investments that can be used for equipment purchases, real estate, leasehold improvements, supplies, and working capital. Recent recipients include healthcare technology company Aidar Health, chocolate manufacturer Bon AppéSweet, North Potomac-based string instrument retailer DXC Trading, logistics provider Globalsunny NA, educational technology company Pelican Fly, and Señors Market, LLC.
According to the Maryland Department of Commerce, the financing authority helped support approximately 2,450 jobs between fiscal years 2021 and 2025 by leveraging about $33 million in loans and equity investments.
Governor Moore Signed Legislation to Expand Housing Access and Strengthen Education
Gov. Wes Moore (D) approved new laws Tuesday that will encourage housing development around transit hubs and grant developers so-called vesting rights that will keep approved housing projects from being held up by new regulations from local jurisdictions.
The bills were part of the governor’s housing priorities this session, and came a year after the administration saw lawmakers reject its push for legislation that would grant more “certainty” for developers as a project progressed.
Moore said he hopes the Housing Certainty Act and the transit-oriented development law will help whittle down the state’s 94,000 housing unit shortage, making housing more affordable by increasing supply.
“We’re grateful that more people are coming to Maryland – in fact, our state population is growing faster now than it has in any point in the past decade. That is a good thing,” Moore said. “However … it doesn’t just highlight that we have a housing shortage in Maryland, we have a housing crisis in Maryland.”
The two housing bills were among a dozen highlighted by officials of the more than 270 bills signed Tuesday, the last bill signing for the 2026 legislative session.
Contact: Carter Elliott, IV [email protected]