By Andi Anderson
Federal aid is on its way to Michigan’s sweet cherry farmers, who suffered significant crop losses this year due to unpredictable weather and pest infestations.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued disaster declarations for Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau counties, and eight surrounding counties, enabling farmers to access emergency financial resources.
These disaster declarations make cherry producers in northern Michigan eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA’s Farm Services Agency (FSA). The loans are intended to help farmers recover from one of the worst cherry seasons in recent memory, with losses ranging from 30% to 75% of crops.
The unpredictable weather patterns and subsequent pest infestations forced farmers to spend heavily on pest control, with little success in saving the season.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer requested federal assistance in response to the crisis, and the USDA responded by offering crucial support.
The situation faced by Michigan’s cherry farmers highlights the broader impact of climate change on agriculture, as extreme weather events become more common and disruptive.
The USDA-FSA will accept loan applications for the next eight months, evaluating each farmer’s losses, available security, and ability to repay. In addition to emergency loans, the USDA-FSA provides various programs to help farmers recover from adversity.
This aid will provide much-needed relief to Michigan’s cherry farmers, who play a vital role in the local economy and the agricultural sector as a whole.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Michigan, Government & Policy