VALDOSTA, Ga., July 9, 2018 - USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Florida fresh market sweet corn, fresh market tomato, and pepper growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage is July 31. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the July 31 sales closing date to do so.

Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage revenue risks and strengthens the rural economy. Coverage is available for fresh market sweet corn in Broward, De Soto, Glades, Hendry, Indian River, Lake, Martin, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, and Suwannee counties. Coverage is also available for fresh market tomatoes in Broward, Charlotte, Collier, De Soto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Polk, Sarasota, and St. Lucie counties.Coverage is available for peppers in Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Palm Beach, Sarasota, and St. Lucie counties.

Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2019 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.

For more information about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net, visit www.rma.usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (toll-free customer service), (800) 877-8339 (local or federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (relay voice users).