BRATTLEBORO — Nov. 20 is the deadline for farmers to purchase insurance for perennial crops such as mixed hay, alfalfa and pastures; strawberries, blueberries and other perennial fruit shrubs; fruit trees such as cherry, plum, pear and nectarine; and rhubarb and asparagus.
The Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) provides low-cost insurance coverage for crops where commercial crop insurance is unavailable. NAP can cover some of the costs of crop losses due to low production yields, crop failure or prevented planting related to natural weather events or disasters.
“Windham County producers suffered major crop damage both from Tropical Storm Irene and last year's drought.” said Julie A. Jacque, Windham County executive director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA). “A program like NAP can mitigate some of these production losses, and also ensure that farmers are eligible for other USDA disaster assistance programs that require insurance for participation.”
The cost of NAP coverage is $250 per crop with a maximum of $750 per producer, or $1,875 for multi-county producers. Those with limited financial resources may have the costs waived.
Jacque also noted that the Windham County FSA office administers NAP insurance policies covering 80 different vegetable crops, plus maple sap and hay.
Other upcoming deadlines for NAP insurance are Jan. 1, 2012, for insurance coverage of maple sap and honey, and March 15, 2012, for insurance coverage of annual crops, including spring-seeded annuals such as lettuce, kale and other greens; tomatoes, squash, and pumpkins; peppers, broccoli, and cabbage; and onions and garlic.
Producers should call the Windham County FSA office at 802-254-9766, ext. 2, if they have questions, would like more information on NAP and other programs, or would like a list of crop insurance agents.