Michigan officials ask for federal disaster declaration for cherry industry

• Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is requesting federal relief for cherry growers in Michigan 
• Severe weather has caused significant crop loss for cherry growers 
• The Grand Traverse region produces 20% of the country’s sweet cherries

Michigan is one of the top cherry producers in the world but state officials say crop production has been a “disaster” this year because of extreme weather patterns. 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Aug. 2 requesting a federal disaster declaration, which could provide businesses in northwest Michigan’s sweet cherry industry with federal assistance. 

In the letter, Whitmer said nearly 13 inches of rain had fallen in northwest lower Michigan since April 1. “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 Drosphila (SWD), but rapid development of fungi, including Cherry Leaf Spot and American Brown Rot,” Whitmer wrote.

She said efforts to protect the cherry crops were insufficient, “​​particularly when windy conditions furthered hindrance of their effectiveness.”

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Michigan produces about 20% of the country’s sweet cherries, the majority coming from the Grand Traverse region, which produces about 80% of the state's sweet cherries. Michigan produces over 70% of the nation's tart cherries.  

“Here in northwest Michigan, agriculture — and particularly sweet cherry production — is a vital part to our economy,” said State Rep. Betsy Coffia, D-Traverse City, in a joint statement with Tim Boring, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “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.”

Peak cherry season is typically late July through mid-August. However, severe weather has disrupted crop production. “Mid-to-late growing season estimates of crop loss across the sweet cherry growing counties range between 30% and 75%,” the statement said.

“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.