Farmers desperately call on the US government for help with devastation of crucial crops

18 Feb 2025
679

Michigan cherry growers, grappling with a crisis exacerbated by climate change, have turned to the federal government for assistance.

Unpredictable weather 

As reported by Grist last month, unpredictable weather patterns have strained cherry growers over the past year, pushing many to the brink of bankruptcy. Last fall, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's request for emergency aid through a federal disaster declaration, aimed at covering crop losses.

"None of us really want to get to the point where it's considered a disaster, and now we're here," said Raul Gomez, director of operations at Wunsch Farms, to Grist.

The problem, however, is not limited to Michigan. Economist Ernie Goss of Creighton University explained to Grist that farms across the country are facing similar difficulties, with some regions, like the Midwest, facing the onset of an agricultural recession. The main causes of this crisis include extreme weather events, rising labor and production costs, imbalances in global supply and demand, as well as declining farmer revenues and disaster relief subsidies.

"Every industry, every person, faces hardship at times, and this is our difficult time," said Leisa Eckerle Hankins, a fifth-generation Michigan cherry grower, to Grist. "That's why we're coming together to figure out how we can change things."

Insurance and federal aids

According to Grist, Michigan is responsible for 75% of the tart cherries produced in the United States and one-fifth of the national sweet cherry production. Unfortunately, due to adverse weather conditions, a 75% loss of the state's sweet cherry crop was recorded by the end of the season.

"An unusually mild winter followed by a warm, wet spring, marked by torrential rains, left much of the fruit to rot on the trees," Grist explained. "This led to an explosion of fungi and pests. Diseases like brown rot compromised the quality of several varieties and reduced the crop quantity."

To make matters worse, many farmers face the common problem of limited access and high costs of crop insurance, preventing them from protecting themselves from such substantial losses.

Grist also highlighted that small farmers seeking federal disaster aid often encounter obstacles in terms of eligibility and coverage requirements. According to 2022 USDA Economic Research Service data, only 13% of the approximately 1.9 million farms in the United States had enrolled in a crop insurance plan.

What are the solutions?

For the moment, federal government assistance represents the main way out for Michigan cherry growers, who are trying to overcome last season's losses. Grist outlined some of the strategies adopted to adapt to the constant changes.

"Many growers are adapting to market difficulties and climate change by planting different varieties or adopting high-density orchards, with trees closer together – an approach that facilitates harvesting, reduces costs, and improves quality," Grist reported.

Isaiah Wunsch, CEO of Wunsch Farms, stressed that the key to survival is "not putting all your eggs in one basket."

Source: TheCoolDown 


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Response to climate change: cherries under greenhouse for protection and minimum treatments

Covers

30 May 2024

‘Thanks to the protection, the cherries are safe, the number of treatments is 75% less than in the open field,’ says Moreno Morisi, ‘the quality is excellent and the production is without residues. And I have the guarantee of harvesting as much as budgeted’.

PGI Alicante cherries in trouble with a season expecting half the harvest quantities

Specialties

22 Apr 2024

"This year the forecast is already poor," says Hilario Calabuig president of the Alicante Mountain Cherries PGI Regulatory Council, "although it is still too early for a concrete forecast, we estimate that we will not exceed 50 per cent of a normal harvest.

In evidenza

South African cherries on the rise: new varieties and innovative systems

Production

30 May 2025

In South Africa, sweet cherries are expanding thanks to low-chill varieties and innovative growing systems. Dutoit leads development with high-efficiency orchards, varietal research, and farming techniques tailored to the country's diverse microclimates.

Cherry exports to China: a promising but complex challenge for Jerte

Markets

30 May 2025

The opening of the Chinese market to Jerte cherries marks a new chapter for Spain's cherry sector, but brings complex export protocols. José Antonio Tierno stresses the need for caution, as past experiences with other fruits haven’t always delivered sustainable outcomes.

Tag Popolari