SPRINGFIELD, Ill, May 23, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is enhancing Federal crop insurance for blueberry producers in Michigan beginning in the 2025 crop year. This change will enable producers to receive different pricing and optional units for three seasonal types of blueberries – early, mid, and late Highbush – rather than just the single all-type grouping of Highbush that is currently available.

“We’re committed to ensuring that our programs and products offer the coverage producers need to adequately cover their risk,” said Brian Frieden, USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) Springfield Regional Office Director. “This improvement will allow Michigan blueberry producers to manage their risk with pricing that more accurately reflects the price received for their specific type of blueberries. We look forward to discussing the new optional units that will be available and the reporting and supporting record requirements with the producers."

These new options have been developed in direct response to feedback RMA received from the Michigan Blueberry Advisory Committee. RMA’s Springfield Regional Office worked with the Committee to develop and host an informational session that will offer producers the opportunity to learn more about the new options and production reporting requirements. The informational session will be held:

• June 13, 2024, Trevor Nichols Research Center, 6237 124th Avenue, Fennville, MI 49408, 6:00 PM EST 

More Information

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator.  Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at rma.usda.gov or by contacting your RMA Regional Office.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov. 

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