SPOKANE, Wash., June 30, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it will expand insurance for camelina in direct response to the anticipated increase in demand for the crop for biofuel production. 

The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is expanding crop insurance for camelina by allowing written agreements in select counties in Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. In addition, the fall planted practice was expanded to Harper County, Kansas, which paved the way for the expansion in the Great Plains. RMA collaborated with stakeholders to make this expansion possible. 

“Camelina is a valuable input in the production of renewable fuels. In response, processors are trying to increase planted acreage of camelina to meet the growing demand for renewable fuel sources,” explained Ben Thiel, Director of the RMA Spokane Regional Office. “We want to make sure that we continually adapt to the challenges our producers face day-to-day so we can provide them with the best risk management tools. Expanding insurance for camelina is a great example.” 

Camelina is an annual crop in the mustard family that can be successfully grown in drought prone environments. It offers an additional crop rotation possibility for producers. 

The camelina crop insurance policy offers Actual Production History coverage, which insures a producer’s historical yield. Only camelina grown under contract with a processor is eligible for coverage, and the price in the contract is used to establish the insurance coverage. Producers that are interested in planting and insuring camelina should speak to their crop insurance agent about additional details, including upcoming sales closing dates for their area and the written agreement process.  

The changes to the camelina crop insurance pilot program are now available on the USDA Risk Management Agency website. 

More Information 

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 or by contacting your RMA Regional Office. 

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 safe, 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 usda.gov. 

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