VALDOSTA, Ga., Aug. 30, 2022 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is enhancing crop insurance options for Florida avocado producers by adding a new type for mid-season varieties beginning in the 2023 crop year. This update is in direct response to feedback from producers and the Florida Avocado Administrative Committee. This mid-variety type will better align insurance coverage with industry designations for early-, mid-, and late-variety type growing practices and harvest periods.

“We work diligently to ensure crop insurance works well and is accessible for all producers—and the best way to do that is to listen to them directly and consider their feedback,” said Davina Lee, Director of the Valdosta Regional Office. “We’re excited to give Florida avocado producers the enhancements they have been asking for; it will make for a comprehensive resource for all growing practices.”

The changes also include revising the Florida Avocado policy to match the changes made to similar crop insurance policies in the Crop Insurance Reporting and Other Changes final rule, published in the Code of Federal Regulations on June 30, 2022. For example, the notification requirement for any production intended for direct marketing is now 15 days prior to harvest, rather than 15 days prior to sale. See more information in the June 30 news release.

The Florida Avocado program’s producers purchased 46 policies to protect more than $4.7 million in production with crop insurance in 2021.

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 Florida Avocado insurance.

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 A strong farm safety net is key to sustaining and ensuring the success of American producers. Federal crop insurance helps farmers and ranchers manage risks that are part of agriculture, such as adverse weather and market fluctuations, strengthening the rural economy, especially after disasters.

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 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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