A nationwide roll-out it vital for success of a new whole-farm revenue insurance policy, says a small-farm group, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled the new policy at the Organic Trade Association meeting last week. The policy offers higher levels of coverage, total coverage of up to $8.5 million on a policy and premium discounts for increased crop diversification.
NSAC says similar polices have been under-utilized because they were not available everywhere. The group says “it is critical that USDA develop and swiftly implement a plan to expand (whole-farm revenue protection) nationwide.” It will start as a pilot program available in a limited number of states.