Pilot program offers coverage for fruit, vegetable growers

Fruit and vegetable growers now operate without a safety net, but that will soon change.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new risk management pilot program through the 2014 Farm Bill. The policy, called Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, will provide coverage options for specialty crop, organic and diversified crop farmers, according to the USDA.

Farmers will be able to insure all crops on their farm at once, rather than by commodity. Farmers will have greater flexibility in planting decisions for the use of their land. Having this ability, farmers will be better protected against unpredictable weather and have the support in producing fruits and vegetables.

The pilot program will be offered in counties where Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) and AGR-Lite are currently offered throughout the country with plans to expand availability over the next few years.