All agricultural producers, including nursery and greenhouse growers, should be aware of a specific provision in the new farm bill with which they must comply to be eligible for any available disaster program assistance. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the provision July 11.

To participate in any disaster program, the producer must have federal crop insurance or non-insured crop disaster assistance (NAP) coverage, if federal crop insurance is not available to them for purchase.

The USDA also announced a waiver this year from the deadline requirements for this "buy-in fee." The new deadline for paying the $100 fee is Sept. 16, 2008. By purchasing this one-time/one-year disaster coverage, producers are then eligible for Fiscal Year 2008 disaster programs. If producers do not purchase this coverage and do not have federal crop insurance or NAP coverage, they will be ineligible for any Fiscal Year 2008 disaster program participation.

This disaster payment does not afford producers regular crop insurance or NAP coverage, but simply allows them to participate in any FY2008 disaster programs. Interested producers should immediately contact their county USDA Farm Service Agency office.

Click on this link for the USDA press release.

--Morgan Schimminger
 mschimminger@safnow.org

 

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