Valentine, Neb., February, 2018 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Executive Director Kay Hand reminds producers to review available USDA crop risk protection options, including Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage through FSA and federal crop insurance, before the spring-seeded crop deadline of March 15, 2018.

NAP covers losses from natural disasters on crops for which no permanent federal crop insurance program is available, such as forage and grazing crops, fruits, vegetables, floriculture, ornamental nursery, aquaculture, turf grass, honey, bioenergy and other crops. The following crops in Blaine, Cherry, Grant, Hooker and Thomas Counties have a NAP application deadline of March 15, 2018: Alfalfa, Barley, Grass, Millet, Mixed Forage, Oats, Potatoes, and Grain Sorghum.

NAP policies allow producers to protect their investment by purchasing coverage for noninsurable crops. Natural disasters are an unavoidable part of farming and ranching and FSA programs like NAP help producers recover when they experience a loss. NAP basic coverage is available at 55 percent of the average market price for crop losses that exceed 50 percent of expected production, with higher levels of coverage, up to 65 percent of their expected production at 100 percent of the average market price available, including
coverage for organics and crops marketed directly to consumers. Crops intended for grazing are not eligible for additional NAP coverage.

Federal crop insurance coverage is sold and delivered solely through private insurance agents. Agent lists are available at all USDA service centers or at USDA’s online Agent Locator at http://prodwebnlb.rma.usda.gov/apps/AgentLocator/#.

For more information on NAP, service fees, premiums and sales deadlines, contact the Valentine FSA office at 402-376-1712 Ext. 2 or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/nap.