Governor Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue requesting a disaster designation for Michigan counties impacted by severe weather. The governor is also requesting the USDA make available any other possible assistance under the Federal Crop Insurance Program or other USDA programs to help Michigan’s hard-working farmers recover.
“Our hardworking Michigan farmers are once again facing challenges due to weather following one of the toughest years in recent memory,” Governor Whitmer said. “From freezing temperatures to flooding caused by dam failures and high-water levels following periods of prolonged rainfall, many of our producers are finding themselves in the midst of yet another difficult growing season. A disaster designation for impacted counties would provide some much-needed support to Michigan farmers.”
This spring, Michigan experienced a significant period of freezing temperatures after many warm days, which negatively impacted several crops at a key time in their development. Damage assessments are still coming in, but early reports show varying degrees of damage to cherries, peaches, wine grapes, apples, blueberries and row crops. In fact, the effects of the cold temperatures have already prompted 20 counties to initiate disaster designations from the USDA.
Michigan farmers have also been impacted by flooding caused by periods of heavy rainfall that led to dam failures and high water levels. Earlier this month, Governor Whitmer asked President Trump to issue a Major Disaster Declaration for the five counties directly impacted by the dam failures in an effort to help those impacted by the catastrophic flooding – including Michigan farmers – rebuild and recover.
To view the governor’s letters, click the link below:
Source: Michigan Executive Office of the Governor press release
