Friday 1 June 2012

Devastated fruit farmers may get some help


By Andrew Keller, Multimedia Journalist
HEMLOCK, MI (WNEM) -
Michigan fruit farmers learned Friday they may be getting some federal help to deal with the massive crop loss this year.
Gov. Rick Snyder, R-MI, has declared 72 Michigan counties as disaster areas and has asked the United States Department of Agriculture for financial help.
Much of Michigan's fruit crop was lost this spring when warm temperatures in March started the blossoming process and several nights of April freezes killed the blossoming buds.
It has been estimated by the Michigan State University Extension Agency as much as 90 percent of apple, pear and plum crops will be lost this year.
Grower Gary Jacques owns Jacques Orchard in Hemlock. He called the lost devastating for farmers across Michigan and said the financial help could prove invaluable. He has about 5 percent of his crop left.
"Your next opportunity isn't for another year or more, actually, 15 months before we get another chance at an apple, and that's if next year proceeds as it should, which it may not," said Jacques.
If the USDA grants money, fruit farmers within the 72-county zone will be entitled to resources, such as low-interest loans.
Copyright WNEM 2012 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.

No comments:

Post a Comment

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...