[MPWG] USDA: Ask the Expert: A Specialty Crops Q&A with Tara Ponds

De Angelis, Patricia patricia_deangelis at fws.gov
Fri Oct 23 10:32:53 CDT 2020


Does not appear that medicinal or native plants have been included...yet?

Ask the Expert: A Specialty Crops Q&A with Tara Ponds
Farmers.gov bulletin, 10/22/2020
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAFARMERS/bulletins/2a74b6e

In this Ask the Expert, Tara Ponds, Specialty Crops Coordinator for the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) in Kansas City, Missouri, answers a few questions about crop insurance coverage for specialty crops. Tara is responsible for improving and expanding the crop insurance program for specialty crops.

Expansion of products is generally made to growing areas where RMA is aware the crop exists, there is some history or experience of the crops’ performance, and there is significant grower interest in the product.

What are specialty crops and what specialty crop provisions were outlined in the 2018 Farm Bill?

Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture nursery crops.

The 2018 Farm Bill really focused on specialty crop insurance and included three key requirements for specialty crops:
•    designate Specialty Crop Liaisons in each RMA Regional Office;
•    create a website that details efforts to provide and expand crop insurance for specialty crop producers; and
•    submit results of specialty crop research and development as well as expansion to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation’s Board of Directors each year.

RMA has accomplished each of these requirements. Each RMA Regional Office has a Specialty Crop Liaison to assist local specialty crop producers with their risk management needs. If you have questions about specialty crop coverage, you can contact your local Specialty Crop Liaison. You’ll find a list of liaisons and their contact information on the specialty crop page along with information on expansions of specialty crop programs and upcoming outreach events where specialty crop insurance coverage will be discussed.

More links:
Specialty Crops - https://rma.usda.gov/Topics/Specialty-Crops
Expansions of Specialty Crops Programs - https://rma.usda.gov/en/Topics/Specialty-Crops/Expansions
Stakeholder outreach - https://rma.usda.gov/en/Topics/Specialty-Crops/Outreach

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