TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Federal agriculture officials authorized disaster protections for Michigan’s cherry growers who lost most of their crop this year.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requested a disaster declaration in August from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which makes emergency funding available for northern Michigan’s cherry farmers. This week the USDA approved emergency resources for Antrim, Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties and the eight surrounding counties.
Abnormally wet spring weather and a deluge of invasive pest insect infestations plagued the Traverse City area’s signature fruit crop.
Tim Boring, director of the state Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the federal declaration is critical to Michigan’s cherry growers gaining access to low-interest federal loans after many lost upwards of 75% of their harvest this season.