USDA approves disaster relief after 'worst-ever' cherry crop loss in northern Michigan

(Detroit Free Press) The federal government has approved disaster relief assistance for growers in Michigan's fruit belt in northwest Lower Michigan after devastating, weather-related crop losses of 75% or more of the sweet cherry crop.

"It was the largest fruit disaster in my 40-year career," said Allen Steimel, general manager of Leelanau Fruit Co., a processing company in Suttons Bay.

Ben LaCross and his family have grown cherries on their farms throughout the Leelanau Peninsula since 1972.

"We saw poor quality that was unprecedented in the history of growing sweet cherries in northern Michigan," he said. ...................(more)

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2024/10/17/usda-disaster-relief-sweet-cherries-cherry/75704933007/