State Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) and MDARD Director Tim Boring speak at the press conference in Bryant Park on Aug. 8, 2024.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Oct. 16, 2024 — State Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for approving a federal disaster declaration for northwest Michigan’s sweet cherry industry, which will unlock low-interest federal loans for sweet cherry growers.

“Here in northwest Michigan, agriculture — and particularly sweet cherry production — is a vital part of our economy. From farmers, to processors, to retailers, so many members of our community rely on the success of crops like cherries,” said Coffia. “However, one thing is clear: Michigan is experiencing a natural disaster for sweet cherry production, after our farmers have already seen myriad challenges to their livelihoods even without this especially bad year.”

Since April 1, there has been significant rainfall across sweet cherry growing counties, including nearly 13 inches of rainfall in northwest lower Michigan. Higher insect populations due to the mild winter were met with a warm, wet and very humid spring and early summer. This mix caused an explosion of not only Spotted Wing Drosophila, but rapid development of fungi, including Cherry Leaf Spot and American Brown Rot. Crop protection measures with safety and legal parameters were not sufficient, particularly when windy conditions further hindered its effectiveness. Mid-to-late growing season estimates of crop loss across the significant sweet cherry growing counties range between 30% and 75%.

Coffia has been advocating for the past few months for the USDA declaration. She joined Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring at a press conference in August announcing that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had submitted a letter to the USDA requesting the federal disaster declaration for northwest Michigan’s sweet cherry industry.

“Our region is the proud home to many multigenerational families who are a vital part of our community and finding it harder every year to keep farming,” said Coffia. “I want to thank the USDA for understanding the gravity of the situation here in northwest Michigan by approving this disaster declaration request. More work will be needed to support our farmers through this disaster, but this declaration means that our sweet cherry growers will have an opportunity for some relief as they face this devastating crop loss after months of round-the-clock work and expense to try to save it.”

This disaster designation makes certain farm operators eligible to be considered for Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. Eligible farmers have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans. Local FSA offices can provide affected farmers with further information.

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