AGR-LITE WHOLE FARM INSURANCE PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE TO UNDERSERVED STATES

James Callan (202) 720-6200
Shirley Pugh (202) 690-0437

WASHINGTON, Nov 7, 2003 (revised Nov 10, 2003) - USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced that the Adjusted Gross Revenue-Lite (AGR-Lite) insurance plan is now available to purchase through January 31 to producers in 12 historically underserved states for the 2004 crop year.

AGR-Lite is a whole-farm risk management product owned by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. The Pennsylvania Department recently submitted requested changes to the structure of AGR-Lite to the Federal Crop Insurance Board of Directors. The development of the proposed changes was coordinated with other state Departments of Agriculture, local National Agriculture Statistic Service (NASS) offices, university extension offices, universities and USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA). The Board approved several of the requested changes, including the program to be offered in the 11 Northeast, underserved states in addition to Pennsylvania: all counties in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York (52 counties), Rhode Island, West Virginia and Vermont. Agri-lite is also offered in New Jersey (except Hudson River County), except Monogalia and Preston Counties in Maryland (except Baltimore City), all beginning in the 2004 crop year.

Other principal modifications to the AGR-Lite program as approved by the FCIC Board include:

• An increased liability limit to $250,000
• A higher coverage level/payment option of 75/65 for producers with one commodity, providing them with a higher coverage level
• Language officially recognizing organic practices

"AGR-Lite qualifies more livestock, specialty crop, and small commodity producers in these states for a whole-farm approach to risk management," said RMA Administrator Ross J. Davidson, Jr. "Modifications have also been made to address the realities of local agricultural conditions in the northeast."

Policy materials are now available for the 2004 expanded and updated AGR-Lite insurance plan. Interested producers should contact their agent regarding program availability and eligibility. A list of crop insurance agents is available at local Farm Service Agency offices or by using RMA's Agent Locator at: http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents/.