Good news for specialty and organic farmers

Jul 02, 2024

Specialty and organic crops get insurance boost

By Farms.com

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has good news for specialty and organic farmers. The agency's Risk Management Agency (RMA) is expanding crop insurance options to better serve these growers. These changes will take effect for the 2025 crop year.

The expansion includes allowing "enterprise units" based on organic farming practices. This means organic farmers can insure their entire operation under a single policy, simplifying the process. Additionally, several specific crops will now be eligible for "enterprise units," providing broader coverage for specialty crop producers.

This is just the first of several announcements planned by the RMA this summer. They will be unveiling additional support programs, including expanded shellfish insurance in the Northeast and new coverage options for grape growers in western regions.

RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger emphasizes the importance of these changes - "We're excited to offer more risk management options for specialty and organic growers. This will give them greater protection and peace of mind." She also teases further announcements coming soon.

The USDA's initiative demonstrates a commitment to supporting all types of American agriculture. By expanding crop insurance options, they are helping to create a more secure environment for specialty and organic farmers.

Video: The Crop Planning Tool That Could Change Your Bottom Line!

Every growing season begins with hundreds of high-stakes decisions. But what if you could test those decisions before they cost you real money?
In this episode of Ag Tech with Andrew, I sit down with Landon Fahlman from AgExpert to discuss the launch of CropPlan+—an innovative crop planning tool designed to help farmers turn their own farm data into smarter, more profitable decisions.

We explore how growers can:
Test unlimited crop planning scenarios before the season begins.
Track costs, profitability, and breakeven prices in real time.
Compare projected versus actual performance throughout the season.
Use historical farm data—not generic averages—to make more confident decisions.
Leverage the AgExpert Assistant for personalized insights from anywhere, even from the cab.
Whether you're growing corn, soybeans, wheat, canola, or other crops, this conversation is packed with practical insights on reducing risk, improving profitability, and making every acre count.
If you're looking for ways to farm smarter—not just harder—this is an interview you won't want to miss.