February 28 is the deadline for vegetable growers to sign up for the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), according to a news release.
“This includes just about all of the major weather events that could plague Arkansas farmers,” said Henry English, director of the Small Farm Program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
NAP provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops when low yields/grazing loss, loss of inventory or prevented planting occurs because of natural disasters, according to the release.
Many vegetable crops have a Feb. 28 NAP closing date including beans, cantaloupes, carrots, cucumbers, gourds, greens, lespedeza, okra, peas, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, sorghum, squash, turnips and watermelon.
A few vegetable crops, such as green beans, sweet corn and tomatoes (spring and fall) have a March 15 deadline, English said.
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The Agricultural Act of 2014 brought several changes to NAP, English said.
“One is a Buy-Up coverage option. NAP coverage is now available at 50, 55, 60 and 65 percent of the farmers’ approved yield and 100 percent of the average market price instead of only the basic coverage of 50 percent of the yield and 55 percent of the average market price,” according English.
He reminds growers that beginning, underserved and limited resource or socially disadvantaged farmers are now eligible for free catastrophic level of coverage as well as discounted premiums for additional levels of protection.
For more information, farmers can contact their local Farm Service Agency office or an Extension program associate including multi-county agent Stephan Walker, 870-575-7237 or walkers@uapb.edu – Jefferson, Desha, Lincoln and Pulaski counties.
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