Bill Text: MI SR0149 | 2011-2012 | 96th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to memorialize the President of the United States and the United States Secretary of Agriculture to monitor closely the conditions of Northwest and North Central Michigan's fruit crop to determine if disaster assistance is needed.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 22-5)
Status: (Passed) 2012-05-30 - Adopted [SR0149 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2011-SR0149-Introduced.html
Senators Booher and Hansen offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 149.
A resolution to memorialize the President of the United States and the United States Secretary of Agriculture to monitor closely the conditions of Northwest and North Central Michigan's fruit crop to determine if disaster assistance is needed.
Whereas, Michigan produces a variety of fruits for export around the nation. Fruit crops in Michigan generate over $350 million revenue annually and includes apples, blueberries, tart cherries, grapes, and other fruits. Eighty percent of the United States tart cherry crop is grown in Northwest and North Central Michigan. In addition, Michigan is the nation's third-largest apple-producing state, with over 37,000 acres of land in apple production; and
Whereas, Unusually warm temperatures in early spring have wreaked havoc on Northwest and North Central Michigan's fruit crops. The early warmth caused plants to sprout prematurely, putting them at risk of damage when devastating frost occurred in April. As of May 1, farmers are estimating that the frost has killed 80 percent to 90 percent of the buds on tart cherries and possibly 80 percent of the buds on apple trees; and
Whereas, The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers several programs to help farmers recover financially from a natural disaster. In order for low-interest loans and other federal assistance to be available to the fruit growers, fruit-growing areas in Northwest and North Central Michigan must be declared disaster areas; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the President of the United States and the United States Secretary of the Agriculture to monitor closely the conditions of Northwest and North Central Michigan's fruit crop to determine if disaster assistance is needed; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
