Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in Florida for Blueberry Growers

VALDOSTA, Ga., Nov. 2 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency's Valdosta Regional Office issued the following news release:

USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Florida blueberry growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage is November 20. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the November 20 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 blueberries in Alachua, Citrus, De Soto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Marion, Orange, Pasco, Polk, Putnam, and Sumter counties.

Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2018 crop year. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator (http://www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html). Growers can use the RMA Cost Estimator (https://ewebapp.rma.usda.gov/apps/costestimator/) 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.