By Staff
LANSING – Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm and Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Don Koivisto Wednesday announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) granted the state's August request for frost and freeze assistance.
Michigan farmers in 29 counties, including Cass, Berrien and Van Buren, which have faced weather-related crop losses are now eligible for federal disaster assistance.
"We are grateful for this designation by our federal partners," said Granholm.
"It will help preserve the viability of Michigan's $60.1 billion agriculture industry and assist farmers who faced significant crop losses to overcome these weather-related challenges."
"Michigan has a very diverse agriculture industry, including varying climates, soils and growing conditions, which allow the state to grow more than 200 crops commercially," said Koivisto.
"These emergency low-interest loans are vital to providing relief and strengthening our state's farming families."
According to Koivisto, the USDA designation addresses 29 Michigan counties that experienced extreme frost and freeze conditions from April 4 through June 13, 2007.