New Crop Insurance Program to Aid Small Farmers

Small farmers and ranchers in North Dakota who once were unable to insure their crops will get a chance to do so in 2015 under a new insurance program.

The Bismarck Tribune reports small and mid-size producers will be able to insure all of their crops, including cattle and other livestock, under one policy.

The provisions come under the newly announced Whole-Farm Revenue Protection program. Among those to be benefited by the program are small organic, specialty crop and vegetable growers, such as those who sell their products at farmers markets.

The program protects producers against low revenue caused by natural disasters and market fluctuations during the insurance year.

North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says farmers with a wider diversity of crops will pay less of a premium.