LANSING, Mich. — Two resolutions were introduced in the Michigan Legislature last week seeking relief for farmers whose fruit and specialty crops have been devastated by frost and freeze events this spring.

The Michigan House of Representatives last week urged President Barack Obama and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to consider federal disaster aid because of fruit crop damage in northwestern Michigan and grape damage in southwestern Michigan.

The bill, HR-256, which was introduced by Rep. Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville), states that an estimated 10,000 acres, or approximately 95 percent of the grape crop in southwestern Michigan, was destroyed by April frost events. “It is projected that grape farmers alone will realize a loss of over $20 million for the 2012 season,” according to bill language.

The bill asks the USDA to declare southwestern Michigan a disaster area so growers may be eligible to apply for low-interest loans and other federal assistance to help offset lost income due to the loss of their fruit and vegetable crops.

State Sen. Darwin Booher (R-Evart) introduced SR-149 urging the same leaders to closely monitor conditions in northwestern and north-central Michigan, also in expectation of a disaster declaration for growers whose fruit and specialty crops were devastated by the weather.

Current estimates project a total loss of more than $223 million this year. Ninety percent of the state’s $121 million apple crop is projected to be lost, with only a fraction of its usual 760 million pounds likely to be harvestable. Similar losses are projected for juice grapes, peaches and sweet and tart cherries.

Growers in West Michigan’s Fruit Ridge area grow 65 percent of the state’s apples. With estimates of just 10-20 percent of a crop this year, huge losses could take a sizable bite out of the $800 million economic impact generated annually by Michigan’s entire apple crop, according to the Michigan Apple Committee.

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland) visited Joe Klein’s orchard near Sparta, which is part of the Fruit Ridge, on May 15.

“I am deeply concerned about the damage to the fruit crops due to inclement weather,” Huizenga said after his visit. “The frost has tragically crippled this year’s harvest and will set farmers, who are still waiting for disaster payments from 2010, back even further.”

Terry Anderson, owner of Anderson and Girls Orchards in Stanton, said he estimates his orchard will harvest about 10 percent of its normal apple crop.

“The apples look bad. I’m hoping that we have enough apples to keep our retail store open,” he said. The orchard operates a farm market, gift shop, ice cream shop and petting farm from April-December.

“I’ve seen it this bad, but not this bad everywhere,” he said. “Usually if we have a short crop, we can get apples from another grower in Michigan. But, I’ve talked with guys in other areas and their crop is just as bad as ours.”

U.S. Rep. Dave Camp (R-Midland) was in the northwestern Lower Peninsula on May 22 and surveyed damage around the Traverse City and Leelanau County areas.

“Seeing the damage reinforces the immediate and long-term struggles farmers and producers are facing,” he said. “Given the magnitude of damage and loss, the state-level disaster declaration process under way is critical to getting federal help and some peace of mind to growers.

“I will work in Congress with the Michigan House and Senate delegation to explore all possible avenues of federal assistance to support affected farmers and producers in the difficult months ahead.”

To help expedite the process for growers, many local County Emergency Boards, which are comprised of local agricultural officials, are meeting to verify losses in their areas.

“Locally, officials have to verify that a substantial loss occurred in order to qualify that county as part of the disaster area,” said Wayne Stickler, USDA Farm Service Agency director in Isabella and Montcalm counties.

The state’s agricultural leaders also came together last week with representatives of the state’s banking community, farm lenders and the state agriculture department and treasury to continue discussions about low-interest loans at the state level. Michigan Farm Bureau horticulture and forestry specialist Ken Nye said he was optimistic after the meeting.

“Everybody at the table wants this to happen,” he said. “We’re making good progress.”