Federal support for Michigan growers

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, has announced that federal support is available for Michigan fruit growers impacted by frost and other inclement weather this spring.

The support, including low-interest loans, comes with the official federal designation of 72 Michigan counties as primary natural disaster areas after fruit growers suffered devastating losses caused by weather this spring.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the decision official following a series of conversations and letters sent by Stabenow on behalf of Michigan fruit growers.

“No farming family should be wiped out because of a few days of bad weather,” Stabenow said. “While nothing can replace the crops that were lost, this emergency declaration will help provide much-needed assistance for our Michigan fruit growers who suffered such a devastating spring this year.”

A secretarial disaster designation makes farm operators in both primary and contiguous counties eligible for assistance from the Farm Service Agency, including low-rate emergency loans. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of a disaster declaration to apply for emergency loan assistance. Fruit growers should contact their local Farm Service Agency for more information.

In the Senate version of the 2012 Farm Bill, Stabenow included an amendment that will make sure disaster assistance is available this year for Michigan fruit growers hurt by the weather who did not have adequate access to crop insurance. That bill has passed the Senate and is pending action in the House.