CORTLAND, N.Y. — The deadline to insure Northeast perennial crops for the 2018 crop year is November 20, 2017. Insurable perennial crops include apples, peaches, grapes, cranberries, blueberries, pears and cherries. Coverage availability varies by county, so please view the crop fact sheets available at CropGrowers.com.
The crop insurance program has become the backbone of many Northeast farms’ risk management plans. Weather fluctuation and market volatility are major risks for crop producers. Crop insurance helps to manage this risk by providing protection against damage caused by weather, disease, insects or wildlife.
The Farm Bill put crop insurance center stage for our nation’s farm safety net. The bill introduced the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection program and added benefits for young and beginning farmers utilizing crop insurance. Additionally, compliance with conservation requirements is necessary to receive federal subsidy on crop insurance programs.
To protect investments in the 2018 crop, perennial crop producers should contact their Crop Growers agent well in advance of the November 20 deadline to sign up or make changes to their coverage. Producers who are renewing coverage should report to their crop insurance agent any changes in their business, such as bringing a new member into the business or forming an LLC or Corporation.
Crop Growers, LLP, is an independent agency that sells and services crop insurance for 34 different crops through a nine state territory. Crop Growers is owned by Farm Credit East, in conjunction with other Northeast Farm Credit Associations. Producers do not need to be a Farm Credit customer to purchase crop insurance. Contact the Crop Growers Customer Service Center at 1-800-234-7012 to learn more.
Crop Growers, LLP is owned by Farm Credit East, Yankee Farm Credit, and AgChoice Farm Credit. Over the past 15 years Crop Growers, LLP has developed risk management plans for northeast farmers that have responded to weather and market related crop losses by paying indemnities in excess of $287 million. To find out more about crop insurance, visit CropGrowers.com, contact your local Farm Credit branch office or our Northeast Customer Service Center at (800) 234-7012
—Crop Growers, LLP
Farm Credit East
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