Specialty Crop Participation in Federal Risk Management Programs

by Sharon Raszap Skorbiansky, Gregory Astill, Stephanie Rosch, Elizabeth Higgins, Jennifer Ifft, and Bradley J. Rickard

This study characterizes recent changes in Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) and Noninsured Crop Disaster Program (NAP) use by specialty crop farmers, compares differences among conventional and organic farms, and investigates the reasons some farmers choose whether to participate in these programs. Specialty crop growers increased the value of their crops insured by FCIP products from about $12 billion in 2011 to about $21 billion in 2020 (not adjusted for inflation). A case study of nine specialty crop growers in New York State explores reasons they choose whether to participate in these Federal programs.

Keywords: Specialty crops, risk management, crop insurance, noninsured crop disaster assistance, organics, Federal Crop Insurance Program, FCIP, Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, NAP

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