Federal Grant Secured to Wrap Up Michigan Fruit Study

By CnAgri2012-10-09 19:54:06 Print

More than $45,000 in federal grant money will help finish a detailed survey of Michigan's fruit industry last performed in 2007. Applied for and secured by industry experts at Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB), the money will help complete a two-year study conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) Michigan Field Office.

"This is actually a continuation of the $75,000 we secured last year that got the fruit inventory survey started," said MFB's Fruit and Horticulture Specialist Ken Nye, who applied for the grant. "The survey forms were originally mailed to growers last fall. The NASS Michigan Field Office started publishing the data on their website earlier this year, and all the reports are to be finalized and published in early 2013."

The grant was part of a total $1.3 million awarded by the USDA to help various agriculture industry organizations fund more than 20 projects statewide.

Nye explained that the survey is more comprehensive than the USDA's routine ag census, conducted every five years. The inventory accounts for every fruit crop in the state, including tree fruits (apples, cherries, pears, peaches, apricots); vine crops (wine and juice grapes); and all kinds of berries.

Among the data gathered are specific acreages, varieties grown, rootstocks, growing systems, age of plantings and tree removals.

"It's a useful tool for growers, input suppliers and industry groups," Nye said. "It provides useful information for potential crop insurance programs as well as for marketing, processing and fresh sales. Basically it helps the industry make informed decisions and helps ensure a profitable future in the near term."

Annual disbursements are capped at $75,000, making it necessary for a supplemental application to see the survey through to completion in its second year.