Fruit growers have until November 20th to sign up for crop insurance in the 2017 crop year.

 

Jo Lynne Seufer with the Risk Management Association office in Spokane said the deadline applies to apples, blueberries, grapes, pears, various stone fruit and much more, but it’s important to start planning now.

 

“There are dynamics that they might want to change their policy. They want to increase their coverage. Or they look at two and three years ago when we had the fires and maybe they wanted to prepare not only for a drought, or a freeze or a hail but also fire.”

 

And by starting the conversation now, Seufer says growers can not only insure against a natural disaster that could hurt their bottom line, but, “Whether or not they’re getting a brand new policy or it’s a carryover policy they’re comfortable with the coverage that they’ve chosen.”

 

RMA is urging farmers to reach out and discuss the 2017 crop insurance year with their agents as soon as possible.

 

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