First NAP coverage deadline for 2012 crop year coming soon

MORRIS, Minn. - The Farm Service Agency would like to remind producers about important crop disaster insurance coverage deadlines for the 2012 crop year.

The application deadline for 2012 Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage for a variety of crops are coming up. The application deadline for all spring seeded crops and perennial forage pasture is March 15, 2012. Sept. 30, 2012 is the closing date for perennial forage and seed crops. Nov. 20, 2012 is the application deadline for perennial fruit and vegetable crops and Dec. 1, 2012 is the closing date for honey.

NAP was designed to provide financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields or prevented planting occurs as the result of natural disasters.

For the 2012 crop year it is imperative that producers purchase either NAP or a catastrophic (CAT) level of crop insurance for all insurable and non-insurable crops. This is not only for production coverage, but also for eligibility for the new permanent disaster programs created in the 2008 Farm Bill.

In order for producers to be eligible for assistance under the Supplemental Revenue Assistance (SURE) Program and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), producers must obtain a plan of insurance for each insurable and non-insurable commodity on the farm, excluding grazing. Producers who want to remain eligible for the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) must still obtain pasture coverage through NAP if not covered by crop insurance.

For more information please contact the Stevens County Farm Service Agency office at 320-589-4886.