Michigan Seeks Federal Help for Crop Losses

Gov. Jennifer Granholm requested federal disaster assistance today from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack for farmers in 27 Michigan counties who are facing fruit, vegetable and other frost-sensitive crop losses because of severe frost, freeze, snows and cold weather this spring. The requests were based upon 30 percent or more in loss estimates calculated locally in each county.

From Nov. 1, 2008, to July 24, 2009, 27 counties experienced frost/freeze conditions that particularly affected fruit and vegetable production, such as apples and cherries. The impacted counties are in the upper and lower peninsulas.

Federal, state and local agencies are working together to quickly and effectively assess crop losses and expedite the process to obtain a federal agricultural disaster declaration. The Michigan Department of Agriculture is working with the USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA) to compile crop damage estimates due to Michigan’s current extreme weather conditions. USDA-FSA is the agency responsible for compiling official crop-loss statistics and administering federal emergency farm-loan programs.

In order for Michigan to receive federal disaster status, the original crop loss estimates must be verified from harvest yield data. If losses of 30 percent or more are confirmed and the disaster request is granted, eligible state producers will have access to USDA-FSA’s low-interest emergency loan program for up to 100 percent of their weather-related agriculture production losses.

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