Landscape Architect Articles

Deadline Near for Federal Insurance Premium Subsidies for Midwest Nurseries05-20-15 | News

Deadline Near for Federal Insurance Premium Subsidies for Midwest Nurseries

Nursery growers in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio with crop insurance must have an AD-1026 form on file with the USDA by June 1 of this year to be eligible for insurance premium subsidies.

With a June 1 deadline looming, the Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association put out a call for action by their member growers who must comply with specific provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill to be eligible for crop insurance premium subsidies beginning with the 2016 reinsurance year.

According to Brian Frieden, a director with the USDA's Risk Management Agency, nursery growers in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio are among those who must have their Highly Erodible Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) on file by June 1, 2015 with their local Farm Service Agency or USDA service center, in the same name and taxpayer identification number used when a crop insurance policy was purchased, to become or remain eligible for federal crop insurance premium support.

Frieden pointed out that while most producers have met this requirement, specialty producers such as nurseries might be at greater risk of missing out.

"Those with catastrophic coverage may not realize that if they don't comply with the Conservation Compliance provisions, they will be responsible for the full premium," he states.

In 2014, FCIC paid approximately 62 percent of the producers premium cost.

Growers with only orchard, bush and vine crops are not required to establish detailed farm records with FSA, only the full tax identification number to meet compliance.

Producers are advised to visit their local USDA service center and talk with their crop insurance agent to ask questions, get additional information or learn more about conservation compliance procedures.

Additional information about federal crop insurance and the Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation provisions is available on the RMA Farm Bill web page.