Pennsylania Farmers Receive Crop Insurance Assistance

Farmers in Pennsylvania will receive $1 million in state aid for their 2006 crop insurance premiums, said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.

“Crop insurance is an important tool for protecting Pennsylvania’s farmers,” said Wolff. “Adverse weather can ruin a growing season, so it is essential that farmers have a way to rebound financially and start preparing for the next year.”

The money is provided through the Pennsylvania Crop Insurance Assistance Program, a partnership between the General Assembly, USDA, crop insurance industry, farmers and the Department of Agriculture. Producers will receive premium discounts ranging from five to ten percent of their net premium, depending on the coverage level selected for each policy.

In the last five years, $140 million in crop insurance loss payments have been paid to producers, compared to $36 million in paid premiums – a four dollar return on every dollar invested. Last year, loss payments totaled about $15 million.

For more information on crop insurance, contact Karen Powell at 717-705-9511, or visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us and click on ‘Producers.’

To locate a local risk management agent, visit the USDA Risk Management Agency at www.rma.usda.gov.

Source: Pennsylvania Agriculture Dept.