Last week, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services offered a reminder to Florida’s tomato and pecan growers of the approaching crop insurance deadline.
Growers have until January 31, 2020 to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2020 crop year. Current policyholders who would like to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the January 31 sales closing date to do so.
“In a state like Florida where we face extreme weather events like droughts and storms, it’s crucial that growers manage risk and protect commodities with crop insurance,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “As the deadline for Florida tomato and pecan crop insurance approaches, we are advising growers to stay updated, know their coverage status, and reach out to a crop insurance agent as soon as possible if a new policy is needed.”
Federal crop insurance is crucial to the farm safety net. It helps producers and farm owners manage revenue risks and strengthens local economies across the state. For fresh market tomatoes, coverage is available in Gadsden, Holmes, and Jackson counties. Coverage is available for pecans in Jefferson County.
Growers are encouraged to contact their crop insurance agent as soon as possible for specific details about the 2020 crop year. More information and a list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the USDA Risk Management Agency Agent Locator. Growers can use the USDA Risk Management Agency’s Cost Estimator to receive an estimate of their insurance needs.
