With specialty crops accounting for almost one-third of total crop sales in the United States, the American Farm Bureau Federation says risk management tools need to be expanded to protect those growers.
Economists at the Farm Bureau say they have found more than 80 percent of the acreage of hazelnuts, kiwi, strawberries, and lettuce remain uncovered through the Federal Crop Insurance Program as well as the non-insured crop disaster program, and more than 50 percent of crops like walnuts, peaches, squash, and sweet corn also lack coverage.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall says expanding insured commodities to include specialty crops is a key priority for next year’s Farm Bill and says it should offer programs that provide the same protections regardless of what a farmer chooses to grow.
