SPOKANE, Wash., Oct. 13, 2015 - USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds fruit producers of the November 20 deadline to purchase crop insurance in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. This deadline applies to insurance policies for apple, blueberry, sweet and tart cherry actual revenue history, cranberry, grape, pear, table grape, and stone fruit crops (apricots, nectarines, freestone peaches, and plums/prunes) for the 2016 crop year. 

Fruit producers need to buy, review, or modify their crop insurance policies before the sales closing date has passed. If there is no coverage in a county for a specific crop, fruit producers may be eligible for coverage under a written agreement. Crop insurance provides protection against crop production losses due to natural perils such as drought, hail, and excessive moisture.

Fruit producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent to learn specific details for the 2016 crop year. Federal crop insurance policies are sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance companies and agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Fruit producers can use the RMA Cost Estimator to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at www.rma.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).