Governor Scott Walker is requesting two federal agricultural disaster declarations for Wisconsin. The move is meant to cover losses sustained this spring and summer, after extreme weather damaged maple syrup and fruit crops.
Hot weather in March, followed by a cold and wet April devastated crops such as cherries and apples. State Ag officials estimate losses to fruit crops could be as high as 80 percent. Maple syrup losses could be higher than 30 percent.
If approved, the requests sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture would allow farmers to qualify for federal assistance.
