The Warren Sun

Michigan farms and agricultural processors facing financial hardships caused by COVID-19 are now eligible for federal relief.

On July 15, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced that the application process is open for grants for the state’s agricultural industry.

“The COVID-19 virus has especially impacted Michigan's food and agriculture sector,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in an MEDC statement, according to The Center Square. “This investment will provide critical resources to ensure the safety of Michigan's food production industry and its workforce.”

Funding totaling $15 million will be provided through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

“We can further our economic recovery in Michigan by putting federal dollars through the CARES Act to work for the people and business across our state through efforts like these to help with costs incurred by farms and food processors in the fight against COVID-19,” Whitmer said in the MEDC statement.

Representing 805,000 jobs statewide, the food and agriculture sector contributes $104.7 billion annually to Michigan’s economy, exporting approximately $1.8 billion in food and agriculture products annually.

“Agriculture has been on the front lines of providing safe and abundant food,” Craig Anderson, Michigan Farm Bureau manager of labor and safety regulatory assistance, told The Center Square. “The protection of our families, our workers and the supply chain workforce is paramount to maintaining our food supply.”

To receive a grant, applicants must qualify as either a processor or a farm. The grants will provide up to $1,000 per employee to fund COVID-19 mitigation costs, which include, but are not limited to, testing costs, personal protective equipment, facility needs, increased sanitation costs, employee training and upgraded safety procedures for farm-provided housing.

Costs accrued from June 1 through September 15 will be considered eligible, and grants will be given on a first-come-first-serve basis until all funding has been distributed.

“Many farm members have extended significant effort and cost to locate, acquire and implement equipment and practices to minimize infection risk," Anderson told The Center Square. “Costs are mounting on hard-pressed farms with significant increases in items such as normally used PPE. The Michigan Farm Bureau-supported legislation will assist these farms and processors to maintain and improve protections limiting virus spread.”

Divided between agricultural processors and farms, the Michigan Agricultural Safety Grants will provide $10 million in grants to processors, with a minimum grant of $10,000 and a maximum grant of $200,000. And it will provide $5 million in grants to farms, with a minimum grant of $10,000 and a maximum grant of $50,000.

East Lansing-based GreenStone Farm Credit Services will process the applications. More information, the application and eligibility criteria are available at Michigan Economic Development Corporation.