Raleigh, NC, March 31, 2023 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia nursery growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2024 crop year is May 1. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage have until May 1 to do so. Growers applying for the first time may purchase coverage at any time.

Additional coverage is available in select New Jersey counties beginning with the 2023 crop year under the new Nursery Value Select Pilot program. Contact a crop insurance agent for more information on this program before the May 1 sales closing date.

Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps growers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Coverage begins 30 days after receipt of a signed application and approval of required documents. For Nursery Field Grown and Container coverage, a Plant Inventory Value Report for each insured practice, and two copies of the grower’s most recent wholesale catalog or price list are required. For Nursery Value Select coverage, a Nursery Value Report, Monthly Unit Value Plan, and two copies of the grower’s most recent catalog are required. More information on nursery crop insurance is available at RMA's Nursery Policy web page and on the Actuarial Information Browser.

Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2024 crop year. Crop insurance coverage decisions must be made on or before the sales closing date.

RMA is authorizing additional flexibilities due to coronavirus while continuing to support producers, working through Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) to deliver services, including processing policies, claims and agreements. RMA staff are working with AIPs and other customers by phone, mail and electronically to continue supporting crop insurance coverage for producers. On farmers.gov, you can find more information on USDA’s response and relief for producers and use other tools and resources.

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at rma.usda.gov.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.

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