The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making some changes in reporting organic acreage as the pandemic alters normal reporting patterns.
Insurance providers may allow growers to report acreage as certified organic (or transitioning to organic) for the 2020 crop year, if they can show they have requested a written certification from a certifying agent by the policy’s acreage reporting date, according to a news release.
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), is allowing the change to be flexible for farmers affected by the pandemic, according to a USDA news release.
With local and state governments issuing “stay-at-home” orders, in-person crop insurance transactions have ceased in many areas.
“As the pandemic continues, RMA is also continuing to add more flexibilities to assist America’s farmers and ranchers,” RMA Administrator Martin Barbre said in a news release. “We will ensure that the federal crop insurance program continues to serve the needs of our nation’s producers.”
Policyholders who have requested, but not received, an organic certificate organic plan or other documents, must notify insurance agents within 30 days after the certifying agents inform them of their organic plan or certificate status, according to the release.
For updates on other changes to USDA programs due to the pandemic, see its COVID-19 update page.
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