VALDOSTA, Ga., April 1, 2016 - USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Florida citrus tree and fruit growers the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage is April 15. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the April 15 sales closing date to do so.

Crop insurance provides protection against a loss in production due to natural perils, such as drought or excessive moisture. Coverage is available for avocado trees and mango trees in Miami-Dade County. Coverage is also available for carambola trees in Lee and Miami-Dade counties; for lemon trees in Hendry and Martin counties; for lime trees in Lee and Miami Dade counties; and for grapefruit trees, orange trees, murcott trees, tangelo trees, and tangerine trees in many Florida counties.

Coverage is available for grapefruit, mandarins, oranges, tangelos, tangerines, and tangors in many Florida counties; for lemons in Hendry and Martin counties; and for limes in Lee and Miami-Dade counties.

Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2017 crop year. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Growers can use the RMA Cost Estimator to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at www.rma.usda.gov.