LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Some tart cherry growers in Michigan now can buy federal crop insurance as protection against losses.
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow made the announcement Thursday. The Michigan Democrat chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.
The coverage protects growers against losses from low yields, low prices, low quality, or combinations of them.
It will be available in Berrien, Van Buren, Allegan, Kent, Newaygo, Muskegon, Oceana, Mason, Manistee, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim and Charlevoix counties for the 2014 crop year.
Sweet cherry growers received similar coverage last year.
Stabenow's office says 97 percent of Michigan's cherry crop in orchards, vineyards and fields was destroyed last year due to early freezes and frosts. About one in four jobs in the state is supported by Michigan agriculture.
