RMA Reminds Producers of the Recent Changes to the Organic Farm Safety Net

SPOKANE, Wash., February18, 2014 – The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds producers of the expanded crop insurance options for insurable organic crops.

 

In its support for the continued growth of organic agriculture, RMA expanded the coverage options for producers through Federal crop insurance.  Through efforts to better collect and evaluate price and yield data, RMA has worked with other USDA agencies over the past several years to enhance the coverage options for organic producers.

 

Starting with the 2014 crop year, the 5 percent premium surcharge for acreage insured under organic farming practices has been removed; a new contract price option is available to organic producers who grow eligible crops under guaranteed contracts; and changes to organic transitional yields (t-yields) will be phased in so they will be more reflective of actual organic farming experience.  RMA continues to add organic price elections for certain crops based on availability of data.  Additional information on risk management tools available for organic farmers can be found on the RMA Organic Crops website at: www.rma.usda.gov/news/currentissues/organics/.

 

RMA Spokane Regional Office also reminds all producers, including organic producers of the March 17, 2014 spring sales closing date for multiple peril crop insurance programs. This is the last day to buy or change all other spring seeded multiple peril crop insurance coverage (excluding wheat in counties with fall and spring planted types); and the last day to buy 2014 AGR-Lite insurance for new application/enrollment policies.

 

Current policyholders and uninsured growers must make all of their decisions on crop insurance coverage before the sales closing date.  If there is no coverage in a county for a specific crop under the traditional multiple peril crop insurance program, producers may ask a crop insurance agent whether they would be eligible for coverage under a written agreement.

 

Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2014 crop year. Federal crop insurance program 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 throughout the United States or on the RMA website at www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents.

 

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, complete, sign and mail a program discrimination complaint form, (available at any USDA office location or online at www.ascr.usda.gov), to: United States Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll free at (866) 632-9992 to obtain additional information, the appropriate office or to request documents. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities, contact USDA through the Federal Relay service at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136.

 

Jo Lynne, Spokane RMA

 

Jo Lynne Seufer, Risk Management Specialist
USDA/Risk Management Agency
Spokane Regional Office
(Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington)
11707 East Sprague Ave, #201
Spokane, WA 99206
(509)228-6320 Office
800-205-9953 (in AK, ID, OR, WA) Toll Free
(509)998-6902 Gov't Cell
(509)228-6321 Fax
jo.lynne.seufer@rma.usda.gov
www.rma.usda.gov