Press Releases

Congressman Jerry Moran, Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, today chaired a hearing to review crop insurance for specialty crop producers.

"Despite significant progress, it can still be difficult for producers to obtain coverage for their particular crops," Chairman Moran said.

The subcommittee heard from four witnesses who discussed the various aspects of crop insurance. The witnesses included:

Mr. Bill Brim. Vice President, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Tifton, Georgia

Mr. Bob Carden, Citrus Producer and Crop Insurance Agent, Carden & Associates, Inc., on behalf of Florida Citrus Mutual and Florida Nurserymen and Growers Association, Winter Haven, Florida

Mr. John Watkins, Legislative Chairman, American Nursery & Landscape Association, Midlothian, Virginia

Mr. Russell Redding, Deputy Secretary of Administration, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

"As we examine options to help producers manage risks we will seek to address issues that can make crop insurance a more effective risk management tool for farmers and ranchers nationwide," Moran continued.

Crop insurance is an increasingly important risk management tool for many farmers, including nurserymen, citrus growers, and fruit and vegetable producers. The Agriculture Risk Protection Act of 2000 made progress in improving insurance availability for specialty crop producers. Following the passage of the crop insurance reform bill, products were expanded and additional coverage was offered.

This hearing focused on the concerns of Eastern growers and will be the first in a series of hearings to review crop insurance by commodity and region.

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