News

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making updates to crop insurance to respond to the needs of agricultural producers, including organic producers, as well as to support conservation of natural resources on agricultural land.

Specifically, USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is making permanent a new provision that allows producers to hay, graze or chop cover crops and still receive a full prevented planting payment. To accommodate the different farming practices across the country, RMA is also increasing flexibility related to the prevented planting “1 in 4” requirement, as well as aligning crop insurance definitions with USDA’s National Organic Program.

“We are responsive to the needs of producers, and we are updating…

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2021 – Agricultural producers with small-scale farms who sell locally can now get simplified insurance coverage through a new policy designed for their needs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) developed the new Micro Farm policy, which simplifies recordkeeping and covers post-production costs like washing and value-added products.

“USDA is focused on supporting local and regional food systems, and Micro Farm is one more example of how we’re helping agricultural producers with farms of all shapes and sizes to manage their unique operations and risk,” said Marcia Bunger, Administrator for USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). “The Risk Management Agency values collaboration and feedback from our customers, and Micro Farm is one…

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is rolling out a new insurance option specifically for agricultural producers with small farms who sell locally. The new Micro Farm policy simplifies record keeping and covers post-production costs like washing and value-added products.

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) created this new policy based on research directed by the 2018 Farm Bill, and it includes feedback from producers who grow for their local communities. The policy will be available beginning with the 2022 crop year.

“We are excited to offer this new coverage for producers who work to provide their communities with fresh and healthy food,” said RMA Acting Administrator Richard…

WASHINGTON, September 27, 2021 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid recovery efforts for farmers, ranchers and residents affected by Hurricane Ida. USDA staff in offices across the country are ready to respond with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to producers and communities in need.

“Hurricane Ida cut a $50 billion path of destruction from the Gulf coast to New England, destroying farms, homes, communities and businesses and taking lives along the way,” said Vilsack. “USDA staff are on the ground in the hardest hit areas and are ready to help communities and agricultural operations rebuild however we can.”

Food safety guidance:

USDA’s…

WASHINGTON, September 2, 2021 – Corn farmers who “split apply” nitrogen will soon have another option for insurance coverage. Beginning in crop year 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) will offer the Post Application Coverage Endorsement (PACE) in certain states for non-irrigated corn, providing coverage for producers who use this practice that is considered better for natural resources and saves money for producers.

To “split-apply” nitrogen, growers make multiple fertilizer applications during the growing season rather than providing all of the crop’s nitrogen requirements with a single treatment before or during planting. The PACE will provide payments…

WASHINGTON, September 1, 2021 – Organic and aquaculture producers can soon benefit from updates to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) plan. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is revising the plan of insurance to make it more flexible and accessible to producers beginning in crop year 2022.

“These improvements to the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection program will make it a better risk management tool for producers,” said RMA Acting Administrator Richard Flournoy. “USDA is committed to equity in program delivery, and this includes specialty crop, organic, and aquaculture producers, who will benefit from these enhancements to WFRP.”

Changes to WFRP include:

• Increasing expansion limits for…

WASHINGTON, August 31, 2021 – Agricultural producers now will have until December 1 to make coverage decisions and complete reporting activities for the Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Pilot Insurance Program (PRF) and Apiculture Pilot Insurance Program (API). The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) is making this change and other updates to these two policies based on feedback from stakeholders.

“We want to offer flexibility to our nation’s producers, which is why we are always listening to our customers and looking at ways to improve the process and products we provide to them,” said RMA Acting Administrator Richard Flournoy. “The date changes will provide additional time to help producers who are busy preparing…

WASHINGTON, August 26, 2021 – The number of agricultural producers who purchase crop insurance for their specialty and organic crops continues to climb, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) attributes to its work with producers and agricultural groups in recent years to create new crop insurance options, to expand and improve current options and to support local food efforts.

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) recently released reports on specialty crops, organic crops, local food production and greenhouse production, which highlighted insurance options improvements for specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and horticulture crops, as well as organic crops. Some improvements were…

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing nearly $1 million in funding for universities and nonprofits to develop risk management training and educational tools aimed to assist historically underserved farmers and ranchers. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is funding nine projects to help producers effectively manage long-term risks and challenges.

The projects offer a broad range of risk management training, including education on Federal crop insurance, wildfire preparedness, financial management, record keeping and risk analysis, among other topics. When determining which entities received funding, RMA considered organizations with a proven track record of success using USDA funds to serve socially disadvantaged…

WASHINGTON, July 27, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its Risk Management Agency (RMA) will authorize Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) to extend deadlines for premium and administrative fee payments, defer and waive the resulting interest accrual and allow other flexibilities to help farmers and ranchers through widespread drought conditions in many parts of the nation.

Producers now have additional time to pay premium and administrative fees, and interest will be waived for 60 days or the termination date on the policy, whichever comes first. RMA also authorized AIPs to waive interest for an additional 60 days for Written Payment Agreements due between August 1 and September 30, 2021.

“Farmers and ranchers are weathering tough…