August 31, 2007

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has officially requested federal disaster assistance from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Mike Johanns for farmers in all 83 Michigan counties who are facing fruit, vegetable, and field crop losses because of two separate extreme weather events this year - the spring's frost/freeze and the summer's drought.  The requests were based upon 30 percent or more in loss estimates calculated locally in each county.

"Michigan agriculture generates more than $60 billion each year and is a cornerstone of our economy.  These disaster declarations are a critical first step in providing relief to the families who depend on our agriculture industry," said Granholm.  "Working with our federal partners, we will fight to ensure that Michigan farmers have access to the resources necessary to overcome Mother Nature's challenges."

Beginning April 1, 2007, drought conditions have devastated crop yields in all 83 counties impacting corn, soybeans, and other drought-sensitive crops.

From April 4, 2007, to June 13, 2007, twenty-nine counties experienced frost/freeze conditions that particularly affected fruit and vegetable production.  The impacted counties are: Alger, Allegan, Antrim, Benzie, Berrien, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Delta, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Leelanau, Manistee, Marquette, Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo, Jackson, Oceana, Otsego, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Schoolcraft, and Van Buren.

Federal, state, and local agencies are working together to quickly and effectively assess crop losses and expedite the process to obtain a federal agricultural disaster declaration.  The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) is working with the USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA) to compile crop damage estimates due to Michigan's current extreme weather conditions.  USDA-FSA is the agency responsible for compiling the official crop loss statistics and administering the federal emergency farm loan programs.

In order for Michigan to receive federal disaster status, the original crop loss estimates must be verified from harvest yield data.  If losses of 30 percent or more are confirmed, and the disaster request is granted, eligible state producers will have access to USDA-FSA's low-interest emergency loan program for up to 100 percent of their weather-related agriculture production losses.

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For more information on the federal emergency farm loan programs, please visit the USDA-FSA Web site at http://www.fsa.usda.gov .