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Whitmer meets with farmers and approves disaster funding

Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer made her first farm visit while in office to support much needed disaster assistance in Michigan.

On Monday, Whitmer told reporters she can see the toll the devastating spring has taken in the eyes of farmers.

“This is a family that was only able to put in half of their crops this year and it’s going to be very hard for them.  There’s a personal toll, but there’s obviously a broader economic toll for our state.”      

The governor signed House Bill 4234 during her visit to Smuts Farms in Charlotte which provides $15 million in low-interest loans to farmers with financial losses because of wet weather.

Duane Smuts says the visit highlighted the governor’s care and awareness of the state’s second largest industry. “It’s been tough.  It’s been stressful.  It’s been emotionally stressful; it’s been financially stressful.”        

Whitmer says she personally called Ag Secretary Purdue at the beginning of the month to ask for federal assistance.

Audio provided by Michigan Farm Bureau