Raleigh, N.C., Nov. 24, 2021 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is enhancing crop insurance for fresh market beans by converting the Fresh Market Beans Pilot program to permanent and providing consistency in policies by adjusting overplanting coverage for crop year 2022.

The Fresh Market Bean policy is an Actual Production History product that is available in 15 select counties throughout New York, North Carolina, and Virginia. The program has been available to producers since 2011 and has been operating efficiently.

“Our track record of success with this pilot is the driver behind its transition to a permanent future,” said Alexander Sereno, Regional Director for USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). “It demonstrates its value as a risk management tool for farmers and ranchers, and the updates will further strengthen crop insurance for fresh market bean growers.”

Fresh market bean producers purchased 35 policies to protect nearly $3.0 million in liabilities in 2021.

More Information

The number of agricultural producers who purchase crop insurance for their specialty and organic crops continues to climb, which USDA attributes to its work with producers and agricultural groups in recent years to create new crop insurance options and to expand and improve current options like fresh market bean insurance. Learn more in our November 24, 2021, news release.

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 continue to work with crop insurance companies and other customers to assist in providing crop insurance coverage for producers. Farmers with crop insurance questions or needs should contact their insurance agents about conducting business remotely (by telephone or email). More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

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 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 www.usda.gov.

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