USDA Offers Michigan Fruit Growers Disaster Relief

Posted by Christina Bucciere|July 22, 2014

Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced that many Michigan fruit growers whose farms were devastated by extreme weather conditions in 2012 will now be able to apply for disaster relief from the USDA.

The new provisions in the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), authored by Chairwoman Stabenow as part of the 2014 Farm Bill, will extend relief to growers who suffered from disasters but did not have access to crop insurance.

“There’s no question Michigan cherry growers have seen their share of losses over the last couple of years, with many losing over 90% of their crop,” said Phil Korson, Executive Director of the Michigan Cherry Marketing Institute. “Thanks to Chairwoman Stabenow’s tenacious leadership, the 2014 Farm Bill provides cherry growers with much-needed assistance to help families and farming communities cope with the devastating losses of 2012 and better crop insurance options that will help protect our growers in future years.”

“The Michigan Apple Industry is so thankful for the important work Chairwoman Stabenow has done in building the 2014 Farm Bill in a way that supports Michigan’s economy and agriculture,” said Diane Smith, Executive Director of the Michigan Apple Committee. “Many apple growers were devastated by weather in the 2012 crop year and had no access to crop insurance to manage risk, like other traditional crops do. Sen. Stabenow’s leadership will now help growers recover from the losses suffered in 2012, and continue growing their businesses and Michigan’s agriculture economy.”

Eligible producers in 82 Michigan counties who experienced losses in 2012 due to frost or freeze, and who did not have access to crop insurance, will be able to apply for assistance beginning tomorrow July 22 through their local Farm Service Agency office. The application period will end Sept. 22. A list of FSA field offices can be accessed on USDA’s website here.