There's new hope for some cherry farmers in Northern Michigan, following one of their worst years in decades.
A warm month of March -- followed by a devastating freeze in April -- left most cherry growers without much of a crop.
The Federal Government already offers crop insurance options for sweet cherry growers in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties.
Now, they're expanding that to five more local counties -- Antrim, Benzie, Manistee, Mason, and Oceana.
Lutz farms, in Bear Lake, lost about 95 percent of their cherry crop this year.
The owner says this new option would help protect their pocketbooks from this kind of disaster in the future.
"I think it's a great idea. Farmers would be crazy not to buy that insurance... You can feel better at the end of the year knowin' you have something to cover your hind end, and pay some of the bills, and not lay guys off," said Calvin Lutz, owner of Lutz Farms.
There's also an effort to someday expand insurance for tart cherries -- of which Lutz Farms owns 250 acres.
9&10's Evan Dean and Photojournalist Jake Johnson stopped by the farm today and have more on the much-needed good news.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:12 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:12:16 GMT
It's not only families who will be hitting the road this holiday weekend. Police say they will have a heavy presence on the roads as well, and will be keeping an eye out so things remain safe. 9 & 10's
It's not only families who will be hitting the road this holiday weekend. Police say they will have a heavy presence on the roads as well, and will be keeping an eye out so things remain safe. 9 & 10's
Friday, May 24 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:15:04 GMT
Dozens of dogs seized from what's being called a puppy mill in northern Michigan are one step closer to finding permanent homes. The dogs were removed by the Missaukee County Sheriffs Office, Roscommon
Dozens of dogs seized from what's being called a puppy mill in northern Michigan are one step closer to finding permanent homes.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:49 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:49:29 GMT
A Cadillac Area Public Schools teacher is in trouble with the law for drinking behind the wheel. Michelle Whitley works at Cadillac High School and faces 2 charges of operating while intoxicated, open
A Cadillac Area Public Schools teacher is in trouble with the law for drinking behind the wheel. Michelle Whitley works at Cadillac High School and faces 2 charges of operating while intoxicated, open
Friday, May 24 2013 12:21 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:21:41 GMT
Police caught 4 teens accused of breaking into a shed at a Clare County Park. Deputies were sent to the Harrison City Park, where they found that a shed at one of the baseball fields has been broken into. They
Police caught 4 teens accused of breaking into a shed at a Clare County Park. Deputies were sent to the Harrison City Park, where they found that a shed at one of the baseball fields has been broken into. They
After their 2-year-old son died of untreated pneumonia in 2009, faith-healing advocates Herbert and Catherine Schaible promised a judge they would not let another sick child go without medical care.
After their 2-year-old son died of untreated pneumonia in 2009, faith-healing advocates Herbert and Catherine Schaible promised a judge they would not let another sick child go without medical care.
The Board of Royal Dutch Shell plc ("RDS") (NYSE: RDS.A) (NYSE: RDS.B) today announced the Reference Share Price in respect of the first quarter interim dividend of 2013, which was announced on May 2nd, 2013 at $0.45 per A...
The Board of Royal Dutch Shell plc ("RDS") (NYSE: RDS.A) (NYSE: RDS.B) today announced the Reference Share Price in respect of the first quarter interim dividend of 2013, which was announced on May 2nd, 2013 at $0.45 per A...
Friday, May 24 2013 5:41 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:41:47 GMT
Police are looking for whoever stole nearly 40 bronze grave markers in the Hersey Cemetery in Osceola county, just days before Memorial Day. Village workers noticed the markers missing earlier this week
Police are looking for whoever stole nearly 40 bronze grave markers in the Hersey Cemetery in Osceola county, just days before Memorial Day. Village workers noticed the markers missing earlier this week
Friday, May 24 2013 6:09 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:09:07 GMT
9&10 News dug deeper into a puppy mill case out of Missaukee County today. When it comes to the dog's living conditions, the man accused will not be facing any jail time because it's a civil case and
9&10 News dug deeper into a puppy mill case out of Missaukee County today. When it comes to the dog's living conditions, the man accused will not be facing any jail time because it's a civil case and
Friday, May 24 2013 12:11 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:11:11 GMT
State wildlife regulators want to remind fisherman that using salmon eggs or minnows for bait is not allowed in some places. This is to prevent the spread of a virus that can be deadly to some fish.
State wildlife regulators want to remind fisherman that using salmon eggs or minnows for bait is not allowed in some places. This is to prevent the spread of a virus that can be deadly to some fish.
Authorities say an Army veteran charged with killing a police officer and wounding five others in a shootout during a marijuana raid has been found dead hanging in a jail cell.
A Utah Army veteran was found hanging dead Friday in his jail cell as he awaited trial on charges of killing a police officer and wounding five others during a raid that netted 13 pot plants and sparked a fierce debate about...
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