State Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) and MDARD Director Tim Boring spoke at a press conference today in Bryant Park.

 

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 8, 2024 — Today, state Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) joined Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Tim Boring at a press conference announcing that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has submitted a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requesting a federal disaster declaration for northwest Michigan’s sweet cherry industry.

“Here in northwest Michigan, agriculture — and particularly sweet cherry production — is a vital part to our economy. From farmers to producers to retailers, so many members of our community rely on the success of crops like cherries,” Coffia said. “However, one thing is clear: Michigan is experiencing a natural disaster that threatens sweet cherry production, which brings us here, requesting a federal disaster declaration for our region’s sweet cherry industry.”

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 because of the mild winter were met with a warm, wet and very humid spring and early summer, causing an explosion of not only spotted wing drosophila (SWD), 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 furthered hindrance of their effectiveness. Mid-to-late growing season estimates of crop loss across the sweet cherry growing counties range between 30% and 75%.

“In submitting this letter to the USDA, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has taken a bold and crucial step in an effort to bring much-needed relief to Michigan’s sweet cherry industry,” Boring said. “I want to thank Gov. Whitmer for her leadership and continued support of Michigan’s agriculture community. I also want to thank Rep. Coffia for her partnership and for consistently making agriculture a top priority, especially through her work as a member of the House Agriculture Committee.”

“Our region is the proud home to many multigenerational families who are a vital part of our community and are finding it harder every year to keep farming,” Coffia said. “I strongly urge the USDA to grant this relief to support them as they face this devastating and costly crop loss after months of round-the-clock work and expenses to try and save it.”

Whitmer’s letter describes the state of Michigan’s sweet cherry production this year. The USDA has received the letter and is now looking into issuing a disaster declaration, which would unlock low-interest loans for sweet cherry growers.

 

###