USDA to Hold Session on Insurance and Disaster Assistance Programs for Fruit, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Growers

St. PAUL, Minn. — Dec. 16, 2021 —Have you ever wondered what insurance or disaster assistance programs are available for your operation--especially small scale, vegetable, fruit, or specialty crop producers? The Food Group of Minnesota- Big River Farms is hosting the Risk Management Agency (RMA) and the Minnesota Farm Service Agency (FSA), who will provide information about insurance and disaster programs for vegetable, fruit and other specialty crop producers; including small scale operations and those that market locally, during a webinar on Jan.12 from 6 to 7 pm. There will be additional time available for growers and participants to ask questions.

Webinar on Insurance and Disaster Assistance for Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crop Growers
Wednesday, Jan. 12, 6-7 p.m. (CST)

To attend the webinar: Register Here

RMA staff will provide an overview of the Whole Farm Revenue Program and the new Micro Farm Option. The Whole Farm Revenue Micro Farm option is 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. The Micro Farm policy builds on other RMA efforts to better serve specialty and organic crop growers.

FSA staff will provide information on the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). This separate program provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occurs due to natural disasters. Beginning, limited resource, socially disadvantaged and qualifying veterans farmers or ranchers are eligible for a waiver of the service fee and a 50 percent premium reduction under NAP.

In addition, FSA will  provide information on the Tree Assistance Program that provides financial assistance to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, and vines lost due to natural disaster. Eligible trees, bushes, and vines are those from which an annual crop is produced for commercial purposes. Nursery trees include ornamental, fruit, nut and Christmas trees produced for commercial sale.

Producers requesting language interpretation for Hmong, Spanish, Somali, and Swahili can request interpretation directly in the registration link above. Additional language interpretation will be available upon request, please make request by Dec.29, 2021 using the registration link or contact KaZoua Berry at kberry@thefoodgroupmn.org, 651-433-3676.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in this meeting should contact Daniel Mahoney at (651) 602-7710, or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339, or email daniel.mahoney@usda.gov by Jan. 7, 2022.

For more information on FSA disaster programs, visit fsa.usda.gov.

Service Center staff continue to work with agricultural producers via phone, email, and other digital tools. Because of the pandemic, some USDA Service Centers are open to limited visitors. Contact your Service Center to set up an in-person or phone appointment. Additionally, more information related to USDA’s response and relief for producers can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.