August 3, 2006

Initiates request for assistance to Michigan farmers

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today notified U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Michael Johanns of crop damage Michigan farmers have sustained due to recent severe weather.  Citing 30 counties anticipated to have significant crop loss, Governor Granholm’s letter sets in motion the process to receive federal assistance in the coming months.

“A natural disaster has occurred in the state of Michigan that will result in 2006 production losses in fruit, vegetables, and various other crops,” Granholm wrote.  The letter indicated that several storms since April 26, 2006, included one or more of the following:  excessive rain, flooding, hail and high winds

The affected counties included in Granholm’s letter are:  Antrim, Bay, Benzie, Berrien, Chippewa, Genesee, Grand Traverse, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Leelanau, Lenawee, Livingston, Luce, Mackinac, Macomb, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Monroe, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, and St. Joseph.   
   
In her letter, Granholm called upon the USDA to review damage assessment information being collected by the USDA Farm Service Agency and will be available after October 1, 2006.

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

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