Raleigh RO: USDA Responds to Producer Demand, Expands Controlled Environment Crop Insurance to 35 Additional Counties

(Raleigh, N.C., Feb. 3, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced expansion of the Controlled Environment pilot crop insurance program for the 2027 and succeeding crop years. The expansion reflects the Trump Administration’s commitment to putting American farmers first by ensuring risk management tools keep pace with the evolving needs of innovative agricultural operations. 

The Controlled Environment program from USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is specifically for plants grown in fully enclosed controlled environments and provides coverage against plant diseases subject to destruction orders or quarantine. 

RMA is expanding the program to an additional 35 counties in seven states: 

• Alabama: Bullock, Calhoun, Cherokee, Dallas, Lee, Limestone and Montgomery  
• Arizona: Yuma 
• California: Stanislaus 
• Florida: Taylor 
• Georgia: Bibb, Candler, Clark, Coffee, Columbia, Coweta, Elbert, Gilmer, Grady, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Jefferson, Madison, Marion, McDuffie, Mitchell, Newton, Oconee, Paulding, Sumter and Walton 
• New Jersey: Hudson and Warren 
• South Carolina: York 

“America’s controlled environment producers have made it clear they need access to specialized crop insurance that protects their unique operations,” said RMA Administrator Pat Swanson. “This expansion demonstrates our responsiveness to producer feedback and our dedication to supporting the innovation and growth driving American agriculture forward.” 

In addition to geographic expansion, RMA is implementing significant program improvements approved by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board of Directors: 

• Expanding Disease Coverage: RMA has removed the term “regulated” from plant disease requirements, broadening coverage to include both regulated diseases and those monitored by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) or State governments. This change ensures producers have protection against a wider range of plant disease threats; 
• Buffer Zone Protection: The program now clarifies that plants in buffer zones may be eligible for indemnity when they must be destroyed as part of a destruction order or alternate quarantine release strategy, even if the plants themselves show no damage from disease or contamination; and 
• Clarified Contamination Definition: RMA has defined “contamination” to include the presence of, detection of, or exposure to contaminants, providing clearer guidance for producers on coverage eligibility. 

Controlled environment agriculture represents one of the fastest-growing segments of American agriculture, with operations ranging from traditional greenhouses to innovative vertical farms and hydroponic systems. These operations play a vital role in producing specialty crops, organic products, and high-value plants while providing year-round employment in rural and urban communities alike. 

The Controlled Environment program protects producers against unavoidable damage caused by the unknown introduction of plant diseases or contamination into their facilities, resulting in Federal or State destruction orders or quarantines. With coverage percentages ranging from 50% to 85% and premium support of 65% for additional coverage levels, the program provides accessible and affordable risk management for controlled environment operations of all sizes. 

The Controlled Environment program is available in select counties in the following states: 

• With a May 1 sales closing date: Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. 
• With a September 1 sales closing date: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. 

To learn more about the Controlled Environment crop insurance program, visit the Controlled Environment webpage or read through our frequently asked questions. 

More Information 

RMA secures the future of agriculture by providing world class risk management tools to rural America through Federal crop insurance and risk management education programs. RMA provides policies for more than 130 crops and is constantly working to adjust and create new policies based on producer needs and feedback. 

Contact a crop insurance agent to see how Federal crop insurance can meet the specific needs of your operation. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available online at the RMA Agent Locator. Producers can learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at rma.usda.gov or by contacting their RMA Regional Office. RMA’s Basics for Beginners provides information for those new to crop insurance. 

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