Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley formally submitted a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture requesting a Secretarial Disaster Designation for all Maryland counties impacted by the severe dry weather and excessive heat during the months of June and July. Gov. O’Malley sent the letter to Secretary Mike Johanns of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (see letter below).

“Working with the State Farm Service Agency and the Maryland Department of Agriculture, we estimate that farmers in Maryland have lost between 30 and 60% of their crops,” said Gov. O’Malley. “By requesting this disaster designation, we hope to provide some relief to our local farmers, who are a vital part of Maryland’s economy, and we will continue to work with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and our federal delegation to help our farmers get through this drought.”

“Maryland’s farmers are having trouble paying their bills due to the drought that has covered the State over the past two months,” said Roger Richardson, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Agriculture. “We are working closely with both the federal government and local jurisdictions to ensure that Maryland’s farmers are protected during this arid growing season.”

Since the spring of 2007, all of Maryland’s counties have received rainfall amounts that are well below average. Most of this shortfall has occurred during the past three months, the most critical time for the development of most summer field crops. While the Mid and Lower Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland appear to be the driest regions, data analysis from the National Drought Mitigation Center shows 97% of the state in at least abnormally dry conditions.Thirty-seven percent is in a moderate drought while only 3% appears normal