VALDOSTA, Ga., March 15, 2022 — The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Florida citrus tree and fruit growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2022 crop year 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.

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 avocado trees and mango trees in Miami-Dade County; carambola trees in Lee and Miami-Dade counties; lemon trees in Collier, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Indian River, Martin, Polk, and St. Lucie counties; lime trees in Lee and Miami-Dade counties; and grapefruit trees, orange trees, and all other citrus trees (murcott, tangelo, and tangerine) in select Florida counties. Coverage is also available for grapefruit, mandarins, oranges, tangelos, tangerines, and tangors in select Florida counties; lemons in Collier, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Indian River, Martin, Polk, and St. Lucie counties; and limes in Lee and Miami-Dade counties. Please contact your insurance agent to see if your county is covered.

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 are working with AIPs and other customers by phone, mail and electronically to continue supporting crop insurance coverage for producers. On farmers.gov, you can find more information on USDA’s response and relief for producers and use other tools and resources.

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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