SPOKANE, Wash., Nov. 22, 2021 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has announced improvements to the hybrid specialty seed crop insurance policy for the 2022 crop year.

“We are updating the hybrid specialty seed crop insurance program to expand the program for more farmers,” said Ben Thiel, Director of RMA’s regional office in Spokane, Washington. “These updates will strengthen the program for 2022 and going forward.”

RMA is expanding the hybrid sweet corn seed coverage to Umatilla County, Oregon and Yakima County, Washington, as well as clarifying a few policy provisions.

In 2020, producers insured 3,569 acres and 42 policies to protect $6,365,134 in liabilities. Hybrid sweet corn seed coverage is currently available in 16 counties and Hybrid Popcorn seed coverage is available in 8 counties.

More Information:

 A hybrid specialty seed is the offspring produced by crossing a male and female parent plant, each having a different genetic character. This offspring is the product intended for use by a grower to produce a commercial crop with a blend of traits from the parent plants. In this case, tasty sweet corn or popcorn seed.

Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2022 crop year.

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 AIPs and other customers by phone, mail, and electronically to assist in providing crop insurance coverage for producers. Farmers with crop insurance questions or needs should continue to 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.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.