Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in Florida

VALDOSTA, Ga., March 9, 2021 — The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Florida citrus tree and fruit growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2022 crop year is April 15. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the April 15 sales closing date to do so.

Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Coverage is available for avocado trees and mango trees in Miami-Dade County; carambola trees in Lee and Miami-Dade counties; lemon trees in Collier, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Indian River, Martin, Polk, and St. Lucie counties; lime trees in Lee and Miami-Dade counties; and grapefruit trees, orange trees, and all other citrus trees (murcott, tangelo, and tangerine) in select Florida counties. Coverage is also available for grapefruit, mandarins, oranges, tangelos, tangerines, and tangors in select Florida counties; lemons in Collier, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Indian River, Martin, Polk, and St. Lucie counties; and limes in Lee and Miami-Dade counties. Please contact your insurance agent to see if your county is covered.

Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2022 crop year.

RMA is authorizing additional flexibilities due to coronavirus while continuing to support producers, working through Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) to deliver services, including processing policies, claims, and agreements. RMA staff are working with AIPs and other customers by phone, mail, and electronically to continue supporting crop insurance coverage for producers. Farmers with crop insurance questions or needs should continue to contact their insurance agents about conducting business remotely (by telephone or email). More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available online using the RMA Agent Locator. 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.