News

(Davis, Calif., Sept. 11, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced that beginning with the 2028 crop year, the end of insurance date for lemons in Monterey County, California, has been extended from July 31 to Sept. 30 to accommodate their second harvest.

“We are making improvements to crop insurance programs across RMA to give producers access to risk management tools that are effective and reflect how they operate,” said RMA Administrator Pat Swanson. “We are listening to the needs of producers. This change was made in response to grower and industry feedback and to provide certainty to Monterey growers that harvest after July.”

Lemons in Monterey County are insured under the Arizona-California Citrus Crop Insurance…

(Oklahoma City, Okla., Sept. 11, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced that Texas oyster producers in select counties are now eligible for protection through RMA’s Shellfish crop insurance program, beginning with the 2027 crop year. The program provides yield-based coverage for container-grown oysters commercially cultivated for the fresh, half-shell market, and is now available in Aransas, Calhoun, Galveston, Matagorda and Nueces counties.

“At RMA, we are working to improve and increase the availability of Federal crop insurance to help American producers manage their risk more effectively,” said RMA Administrator Pat Swanson. “The Shellfish crop insurance program is a valuable risk management tool for the oyster industry…

(Raleigh, N.C., Sept. 11, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) approved a flexibility through the Shellfish crop insurance program in select Massachusetts counties. The program provides yield-based coverage for container-grown oysters commercially cultivated for the fresh, half-shell market.

Beginning with the 2027 crop year, oyster producers in Barnstable and Plymouth counties may add the Winter Removal Option (WRO), reducing the cost of their insurance, if they remove oysters from the water and place them in storage to protect them during severe cold. 

“By providing this option, we are strengthening program resilience and supporting a regional industry,” said RMA Administrator Pat Swanson. “This addition puts…

(Springfield, Ill., Sept. 10, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced the expansion of insured causes of loss through the grapevine insurance program, along with additional program updates. Beginning with the 2027 crop year, grapevine policyholders will be protected in the event of an earthquake.

“RMA has been steadfast in our commitment to increasing the effectiveness of Federal crop insurance as a risk management tool,” said RMA Administrator Pat Swanson. “In crop year 2026, producers insured over $263 million in covered liabilities on 25 million grapevines. We want to ensure these producers have a strong safety net in times when they need it the most.”

(Spokane, Wash., Sept. 10, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced the expansion of insured causes of loss through the grapevine insurance program, along with additional program updates. Beginning with the 2027 crop year, grapevine policyholders will be protected in the event of an earthquake.

“RMA has been steadfast in our commitment to increasing the effectiveness of Federal crop insurance as a risk management tool,” said RMA Administrator Pat Swanson. “In crop year 2026, producers insured over $263 million in covered liabilities on 25 million grapevines. We want to ensure these producers have a strong safety net in times when they need it the most.”

(Raleigh, N.C., Sept. 10, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced the expansion of insured causes of loss through the grapevine insurance program, along with additional program updates. Beginning with the 2027 crop year, grapevine policyholders will be protected in the event of an earthquake.

“RMA has been steadfast in our commitment to increasing the effectiveness of Federal crop insurance as a risk management tool,” said RMA Administrator Pat Swanson. “In crop year 2026, producers insured over $263 million in covered liabilities on 25 million grapevines. We want to ensure these producers have a strong safety net in times when they need it the most.”

(Oklahoma City, Okla., Sept. 10, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced the expansion of insured causes of loss through the grapevine insurance program, along with additional program updates. Beginning with the 2027 crop year, grapevine policyholders will be protected in the event of an earthquake.

“RMA has been steadfast in our commitment to increasing the effectiveness of Federal crop insurance as a risk management tool,” said RMA Administrator Pat Swanson. “In crop year 2026, producers insured over $263 million in covered liabilities on 25 million grapevines. We want to ensure these producers have a strong safety net in times when they need it the most.”

(Davis, Calif., Sept. 10, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced the expansion of insured causes of loss through the grapevine insurance program, along with additional program updates. Beginning with the 2027 crop year, grapevine policyholders will be protected in the event of an earthquake.

“RMA has been steadfast in our commitment to increasing the effectiveness of Federal crop insurance as a risk management tool,” said RMA Administrator Pat Swanson. “In crop year 2026, producers insured over $263 million in covered liabilities on 25 million grapevines. We want to ensure these producers have a strong safety net in times when they need it the most.”

(Raleigh, N.C., Sept. 10, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced that beginning with the 2027 crop year, New York apple growers will be able to insure their fresh apples as individual varieties on their insurance policy rather than the varietal groupings available in previous crop years. This change also allows growers to elect optional units for the individual varieties listed as types.

“RMA worked with New York apple growers to make this improvement,” said RMA Administrator Pat Swanson. “We’re committed to improving risk management options for specialty crops, and this change is a direct result of the specialty crops roundtable discussions we conducted as part of that effort.”

The individual varieties listed as…

(Springfield, Ill., Aug. 31, 2026) – Agricultural operations in Indiana have been significantly impacted by recent flooding. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events. 

“USDA has a suite of programs to support farmers and ranchers as they recover from disasters,” said Farm Production and Conservation Under Secretary Richard Fordyce. “I encourage impacted producers to contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.” 

USDA Disaster Assistance    

Producers who experience…