It’s official: This summer was hot and dry, and Michigan’s agriculture industry suffered from it.
The Department of Agriculture officially designated the entire state of Michigan as a natural disaster area Wednesday, after a summer drought and heat wave.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said farmers and ranchers were negatively affected by the lack of rainfall this summer, and the Obama administration will work to sustain agricultural practices through the drought.
Precipitation and soil conditions are expected to return to normal soon, but agricultural economic losses already have been reported, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures in some parts of Michigan soared above 100 degrees Fahrenheit several times this summer, prompting heat advisories and opening up cooling centers in the Lansing area.
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