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Michigan lawmakers earmark $15 million for farmers

The Michigan Legislature has approved $15 million for farmers impacted by extreme weather this spring.

Representative Mark Huizenga, who sponsored the measure, tells Brownfield funds will be available through the Qualified Agricultural Loan Origination Program and provide low-interest loans to qualified farmers during the 2020 fiscal year.

“This is unprecedented to see this level of flooding across our state and then to have a late-planted season going on as well, our hearts and thoughts go out to the farmers.”     

Huizenga says a program set up for fruit growers impacted by frost and freeze events in 2012 expired in February of last year which freed up the funds.

“Unlike the tree situation up north, this is one of those situations where we see it in a broad swath all across the state of Michigan.”         

Farmers in areas with disaster declarations and that can certify they’ve lost 25 percent or more in enterprises or at least half of a crop are eligible for the loans.

The legislation now awaits the governor’s signature which Huizenga expects soon following her request to USDA for disaster assistance.