A news release this week from USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) stated that, “Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) may allow organic producers 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 their policy’s acreage reporting date. [RMA] made available this flexibility to help those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Many state and local governments have issued ‘stay-at-home’ orders and have shut down non-essential businesses, resulting in market disruptions and preventing in-person crop insurance transactions.
“‘As the pandemic continues, RMA is also continuing to add more flexibilities to assist America’s farmers and ranchers,’ RMA Administrator Martin Barbre said. ‘We will ensure that the Federal crop insurance program continues to serve the needs of our nation’s producers.'”
The RMA update noted that, “In addition, policyholders who have requested but not received an organic certificate, organic plan, or other written documentation must notify their insurance agent within 30 days after the certifying agent informs them of their organic plan or certificate status. The policyholder notification may be made by phone, email, text, or other electronic communication method, and the AIPs must document the policyholder’s notification. Policyholders will be required to either sign digitally at the time of submission or must follow up with properly signed forms no later than July 15, 2020.”
