Specialty crop producers should consider risk management options

As specialty crop producers plan for the 2026 growing season, University of Missouri Extension reminds growers that federal crop insurance application deadlines for the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and Micro Farm programs are approaching, and planning now can be critical to managing risk throughout the year.

Specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, nursery and horticultural crops, face many production and market risks. Crop insurance can help manage those risks, protecting revenues against yield loss and fluctuations in market conditions, says Ryan Milhollin, University of Missouri Extension agribusiness specialist.

Understand your risk management options

Several federal crop risk management options are available for specialty crop producers in Missouri, including:

Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP): A comprehensive crop insurance program that covers most commodities, including specialty crops and livestock, under a single policy, with coverage levels ranging from 50% to 90% of expected revenue and up to $17 million in insured revenue.

Micro Farm Insurance: Designed specifically for small and diversified farms, this program offers similar revenue protection for operations with up to $350,000 in insured revenue and reduced recordkeeping requirements.

Individual policies are available for some specialty crops. Crops in Missouri that have had past coverage include apples, beans (dry), grapes, nursery (field grown and containers), peaches and potatoes. More crops are available for insurance, but you would need to work with a crop insurance agent to see if coverage is possible in your county if production history doesn't exist.

Important deadlines

To ensure coverage for the 2026 crop year:

The sales closing date for WFRP for most Missouri producers is March 15.

The sales closing date for Micro Farm policies for most Missouri producers is April 15.

Specific dates can vary by county and filing status (calendar vs. fiscal year), so producers should confirm the exact deadlines that apply to their operations.

Start planning early

Milhollin encourages producers to start discussions now with a qualified crop insurance agent to determine which products best meet their needs and to gather required documentation, including several years of Schedule F or other records, which help establish historical revenue for WFRP or Micro Farm. The USDA Risk Management Agency has an online agent locator identify agents specializing in WFRP or Micro Farm.

"As specialty crop producers diversify and explore new markets, crop insurance programs offer a valuable safety net that many growers may not yet be using," says Milhollin. "Understanding deadlines and coverage options early gives producers time to make informed decisions and better protect their operations in 2026."

Get started

For more information and assistance:

Contact a crop insurance agent soon about options.

MU Extension publication G463, Crop Insurance and Risk Management Programs for Missouri Specialty Crops, has an overview of risk management tools available to specialty crop producers.

(Source: University of Missouri)