Disaster Relief Available MI Cherry Farmers After Rough Season

MICHIGAN — Disaster funds are being made for Michigan cherry farmers after they lost most of their crop this year, according to Michigan officials.

Michigan sweet cherry farmers lost between 30 and 75 percent of their crops after a mild winter and a warm and wet early spring led to significant pest infestations, according to officials.

The mild winter didn't kill off enough insects, such as the invasive spotted-wing drosophila, which attacked the cherry crops all year.

Farmers battled the pests all year, but it wasn't enough. Farmers had to turn most of the damaged cherries into juice, which brings in less money than using the cherries for pie filling or as dried fruit.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requested a disaster declaration in August from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The agency approved the declaration and made emergency resources available starting this week in 11 Michigan counties, including:

• Antrim
• Benzie
• Crawford
• Charlevoix
• Grand Traverse
• Kalkaska
• Leelanau
• Manistee
• Missaukee
• Otsego
• Wexford

Farmers in those counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses.

Federal officials will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. The agency has a variety of programs, in addition to the emergency loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.

"From farmers to producers to retailers, so many in our community rely on the success of crops like cherries," said State Rep. Betsy Coffia, D-Traverse City. "I am glad to see the USDA make this decision to bring some relief for the devastating sweet cherry crop loss and I will continue to seek ways to do more to support our farmers weathering this latest challenge to their livelihoods."