On March 3, 2020, the Risk Management Agency (RMA) issued a Fact Sheet for Specialty Crops. https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/Fact-Sheets/National-Fact-Sheets/Specialty-Crops. The Fact Sheet states that certain specialty crops are individually insured and that all specialty crops can be insured under the Whole Farm Revenue Protection policy, which is available in all states and counties in the U.S for farms earning less that $8.5 million in insured revenue. RMA states that coverage for specialty crops is growing. Producers can also get written agreements for specialty crops that are not insured in the county but are insurable in other counties. RMA states that producers must submit a Request for Actuarial Change through their agent. RMA states that each Regional Office has a Specialty Crops Liaison to assist in identifying the risk management needs of specialty crop producers.
ANALYSIS – The Fact Sheet contains basic information regarding where the obtain insurance coverage that is useful to specialty crop producers. There appears to be one possible inconsistency regarding written agreements. RMA states the producer should submit a Request for Actuarial Change and that the Regional Offices will approve requests for written agreements. It is not clear that the Request for Actuarial Change is the same document as a request for a written agreement. Since both terms are used, it suggests these are two separate documents, which can cause confusion. This may need to be clarified.
All statements made are opinions of the author and are not intended to provide legal opinions or legal advice.