Under the new farm bill, agricultural producers must have crop insurance or non-insured crop disaster assistance coverage (NAP) to be eligible for compensation under the government’s disaster programs.

The provision requires that farmers and ranchers carry one or the other of the two insurance programs to be reimbursed for agricultural losses. Such coverage has not mandatory until now.

Because the law took effect after application periods expired for the insurance programs, producers have until Sept. 16 to take advantage of a waiver that permits them to pay a “buy-in” fee to be eligible for disaster assistance. Producers may contact their local FSA County Office to file the waiver application and pay the applicable fees.

 

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