Risk Management Agency

U.S. Department of Agriculture

1999 Report to Congress

New and Specialty Crops
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖ i

Honorable Richard G. Lugar 

Chairman

Committee on Agriculture, 

Nutrition, and Forestry

306 Hart Senate Office Building 

United States Senate 

Washington, DC 20510-0605

Dear Mr. Chairman:

As required by Section 508(a)(6)(B) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act, as amended, the Risk Management Agency 

(RMA) is submitting the enclosed details on the progress and expected timetable for expanding crop insurance coverage to new and specialty crops.

In April 1999, the United States General Accounting Office (GAO) completed a report on USDA's Progress in 

Expanding Insurance for Specialty Crops, as requested by the Honorable Gary A. Condit, Ranking Minority 

Member, Subcommittee on Risk Management, Research, and Specialty Crops, Committee on Agriculture, House of 

Representatives. Concerned about the availability of federal crop insurance for specialty crops, Mr. Condit asked 

the GAO to examine, among other issues, USDA's recent progress in expanding coverage to specialty crops. The 

RMA assisted the GAO in completing their report, which is enclosed with this report. The GAO report provides 

information on expansion of crop insurance coverage to new and specialty crops which is not included in the report 

submitted herein by the RMA on behalf of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC). Because the GAO's 

separate report was being conducted, the RMA report submitted here was delayed to provide more current data on 

program participation for the 1999 crop year. As a result, this report includes actions taken by the RMA for the 

1999 crop year as well as 1998 and previous crop years.

Action has been taken in the following key areas: leveraging of resources for new program development; new and 

specialty crops research; the largest expansion of pilot programs for new and specialty crops in the history of the 

Agency; expansion of existing crop programs into additional States and counties; increased coverage levels for 

existing crop programs and pilot programs; and development of pilot programs for future expansion.

Sincerely,

Kenneth D. Ackerman 

Administrator

Enclosures
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖ ii

Honorable Larry Combest 

Chairman

U.S. House Committee on Agriculture 

1301 Longworth House Office Building 

Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Chairman:

As required by Section 508(a)(6)(B) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act, as amended, the Risk Management Agency 

(RMA) is submitting the enclosed details on the progress and expected timetable for expanding crop insurance coverage to new and specialty crops.

In April 1999, the United States General Accounting Office (GAO) completed a report on USDA's Progress in 

Expanding Insurance for Specialty Crops, as requested by the Honorable Gary A. Condit, Ranking Minority 

Member, Subcommittee on Risk Management, Research, and Specialty Crops, Committee on Agriculture, House of 

Representatives. Concerned about the availability of federal crop insurance for specialty crops, Mr. Condit asked 

the GAO to examine, among other issues, USDA's recent progress in expanding coverage to specialty crops. The 

RMA assisted the GAO in completing their report, which is enclosed with this report. The GAO report provides 

information on expansion of crop insurance coverage to new and specialty crops which is not included in the report 

submitted herein by the RMA on behalf of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC). Because the GAO's 

separate report was being conducted, the RMA report submitted here was delayed to provide more current data on 

program participation for the 1999 crop year. As a result, this report includes actions taken by the RMA for the 

1999 crop year as well as 1998 and previous crop years.

Action has been taken in the following key areas: leveraging of resources for new program development; new and 

specialty crops research; the largest expansion of pilot programs for new and specialty crops in the history of the 

Agency; expansion of existing crop programs into additional States and counties; increased coverage levels for 

existing crop programs and pilot programs; and development of pilot programs for future expansion.

Sincerely,

Kenneth D. Ackerman 

Administrator

Enclosures
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖iii

Contents

Letters of Transmittal from the Administrator .........................................i-ii

Foreword ............................................................................................................. iv

Summary......................................................................................................iv

Introduction.....................................................................................................1

Purpose .........................................................................................................1

Authority.......................................................................................................1

Action ...........................................................................................................1

Specialty Crops Coordinator .........................................................................1

Authority.......................................................................................................1

Action ...........................................................................................................1

New Program Development Resources.........................................................1

Purpose .........................................................................................................1

Action ...........................................................................................................1

Crop Insurance Program Models..................................................................3

Purpose .........................................................................................................3

Action ...........................................................................................................3

New Program Research..................................................................................3

Introduction ..................................................................................................3

Specialty Crops Research Reports................................................................3

Other Research Projects ...............................................................................3

Program Expansion ........................................................................................3

Introduction ..................................................................................................3

County Program Expansion and Increased Coverage Levels....................... 4

Nursery Program Revision and Expansion ..................................................4

Status of Pilot Programs...............................................................................4

New Pilot Programs for the 1999 Crop Year.......................................................7

Expansion of Existing Pilot Programs for the 1999 Crop Year.......................8

Program Expansion Beyond the 1999 Crop Year...............................................8

Public Awareness......................................................................................................8

Internet Web Sites.........................................................................................8

Risk Management Education........................................................................9

Miscellaneous Activities...............................................................................9

Appendix Tables.....................................................................................................10

1A—Individual Crops Insured under 1998 Crop Insurance Programs ......10

1B—Individual Crops Insured under 1999 Crop Insurance Programs.......11

2—1998 Existing Program Expansion Summary ......................................12

3—1999 Existing Program Expansion Summary ......................................12

4—1998 (1999 Citrus) Permanent Program Expansion Detailed List .......13

5—1999 (2000 Citrus) Permanent Program Expansion Detailed List .......15

6—1999 Pilot Program Expansion Detailed List.......................................18
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖iv

Foreword

Summary

Section 508(a)(6)(B) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act, as amended, requires the Federal Crop Insurance 

Corporation to submit a report to Congress on the progress and expected timetable for expanding crop insurance 

coverage to new and specialty crops. This report is submitted by the Risk Management Agency on behalf of the 

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.

This report includes information on the following topics:

 The Specialty Crops Coordinator position;

 Leveraging of resources for new program development;

 A program models paper describing characteristics of current risk management products;

 New and specialty crops research;

 Expansion of existing crop programs into additional States and counties;

 Increased coverage levels for permanent programs and pilot programs;

 Revision and expansion of the nursery program to include field-grown plant material;

 The status of pilot programs which have been initiated;

 New pilot programs for the 1999 crop year;

 Expansion of existing pilot programs for the 1999 crop year;

 Program expansion beyond the 1999 crop year; and

 Efforts made to increase public awareness of the Agency's activities regarding new and specialty crops.
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖1

Risk Management: 

New and Specialty Crops

1999 Report to Congress

Purpose

Introduction producers with risk management and production 

issues pertaining to specialty crops.

“(3) The Specialty Crops Coordinator shall use inforThis report provides information on the progress in 

expanding crop insurance coverage for new and specialty 

crops since October 1997 and expansion plans beyond 

the 1998 fiscal year.

Authority

Section 508(a)(6)(B) of the Act reads as follows:

"Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 

this paragraph, and annually thereafter, the Corporation 

shall report to Congress on the progress and expected 

timetable for expanding crop insurance coverage 

under this title to new and specialty crops.”

Action

In accordance with this requirement, the Risk Management Agency submits this report on behalf of the Federal 

Crop Insurance Corporation.

Specialty Crops Coordinator

Authority

Section 507(g) of the Act provides as follows:

“(g)(1) The Corporation shall establish a management-level position to be known as the Specialty 

Crops Coordinator.

“(2) The Specialty Crops Coordinator shall have primary responsibility for addressing the needs of specialty crop producers, and for providing information 

and advice, in connection with the activities of the 

Corporation to improve and expand the insurance 

program for specialty crops. In carrying out this paragraph, the Specialty Crops Coordinator shall act as 

the liaison of the Corporation with representatives of 

specialty crop producers and assist the Corporation 

with the knowledge, expertise, and familiarity of the

mation collected from Corporation field office directors in States in which speciality crops have a significant economic effect and from other sources, including 

the extension service and colleges and universities.”

Action

William C. Jones has served as the Risk Management 

Agency’s (RMA) Specialty Crops Coordinator since 

March 17, 1996. Mr. Jones facilitates the new program 

development process by working directly with various 

new program development teams as they plan and 

implement new programs. These teams are composed of 

representatives of RMA, the private insurance industry, 

agricultural groups, and academia. He serves as the 

coordinator for the New Program Review Council, a 

management review and coordination group for new

product development. The review council looks at the 

design of pilot programs at various milestones in the 

development process and makes recommendations for 

the direction of the pilot programs.

Mr. Jones has made new program development presentations to commodity organizations, gathered information for the purpose of coordinating and expanding crop 

insurance coverage to new and specialty crops, and 

coordinated research activities for crop appraisal techniques for programs being considered for expansion.

New Program Development Resources

Purpose

To achieve optimum utilization of resources to increase 

the number and quality of new programs being developed for producers.

Action

As many as 27 new program development teams have 

been simultaneously developing new programs for 

implementation within the next few years. These teams
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖2

have been led by project managers from RMA's Kansas 

City office and Regional Service Offices. This follows 

up on training held in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1996 

and 1997 to improve the new program development 

process through greater involvement in project management at the field level, a better understanding of the new 

program development process, a greater appreciation of 

the importance of new program development, and 

increased utilization of resources for new program 

development throughout the Agency.

RMA developed a Crop Insurance Program Models paper 

to facilitate the new program development process. The 

models paper is described in greater detail in the next 

section of this report. RMA has also developed various 

templates for program development consistent with the 

various models.

RMA now provides status reports on the developmental 

progress of new pilot programs through its electronic 

bulletin board available to RMA's Kansas City and field 

offices. Electronic copies of the reports are also sent to 

a representative of the House Subcommittee on Risk 

Management and Specialty Crops, as well as to the private insurance industry, RMA headquarters, and other 

government agencies.

RMA formalized the use of a New Program Review 

Council, a management review and coordination group 

for new product development. The council reviews the 

design of pilot programs at various milestones in the 

development process and makes recommendations for the 

continued direction of each program which development 

teams present to the council. Members of the council 

include senior RMA officials from RMA’s Kansas City 

and Washington, D.C., offices. As part of RMA’s business process reengineering effort for tool management 

and to improve communications and awareness of new 

program development with industry partners, insurance 

industry representatives are invited to participate in the 

discussions and provide feedback, comments, and other 

input pertinent to the developmental work.

Other participants in the new program development 

process have included university staff and other government agencies such as the Economic Research Service; 

the Cooperative State Research, Education, and 

Extension Service; the Agricultural Research Service; 

the National Agricultural Statistics Service; and the 

Farm Service Agency.

Insurance Industry Representatives

Insurance industry participation in the new program 

development process has increased dramatically.

Representatives serve on new program development

teams, provide significant input in the new program 

development process, market newly developed products 

to producers, and offer feedback on the application of 

new risk management products.

University Representatives

University representatives contribute significantly to the 

assessment of risks, production practices, production 

costs, and other issues relevant to each specific program 

under development or being considered for development.

Economic Research Service

The Economic Research Service (ERS) has provided 

significant input into the determination of the feasibility 

of developing programs under consideration. ERS has 

conducted numerous research reports and feasibility 

studies that have led to the development of new risk 

management products for producers. Copies of many of 

these reports are available on RMA's web site at: 

www.rma.usda.gov.

Cooperative State Research, Education, 

and Extension Service

The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension 

Service (CSREES) provides information and data used in 

developing and modifying insurance products.

Agricultural Research Service

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) provides 

research for various purposes related to the development 

of new and improved risk management products.

National Agricultural Statistics Service

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 

provides acreage, production, and other data used in 

developing and implementing insurance products.

Farm Service Agency

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides information 

to RMA regarding noninsured crop disaster assistance 

program (NAP) payments, loss adjustment appraisal 

techniques that are available for noninsured crops upon 

which NAP payments have been made, acreage and 

yield data, and other appropriate information relevant to 

new program development.

As a result of the training, development, and leveraging 

of resources utilized in the new program development 

process, the number of new program initiatives has 

increased significantly for the 1999 crop year. Fourteen 

new and specialty crop initiatives were introduced for 

the 1999 crop year, representing the largest number of 

such program introductions in the agency's history.
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖3

Crop Insurance Program Models

Purpose

To facilitate the new program development process 

through a better understanding of current crop insurance 

program models and greater uniformity in the development of new risk management products.

Action

The Risk Management Agency created a Crop Insurance 

Program Models paper to facilitate the development of 

new risk management products for uninsured crops. The 

yield guarantee model was the predominant traditional 

model used in providing multiple peril crop insurance 

for years. The risk management products included under 

this model provide producers a yield guarantee. In 

developing risk management products to meet producers’ needs for uninsured crops, RMA has found that the

yield guarantee model has not always been the model of

choice. As new models have been developed, it has 

become increasingly important to inventory existing 

models in order to increase the understanding of the 

various crop insurance approaches and to ensure the 

uniformity of products for similar crops. The Crop 

Insurance Program Models paper serves this purpose as 

well as others, and is a working document that is a significant tool used in the development of new risk management products. The models paper is available at 

RMA's listing of miscellaneous projects on the RMA 

web site at: www.rma.usda.gov.

New Program Research

Introduction

Section 508(m) of the Act provides that “theCorporation 

may conduct research, surveys, pilot programs, and 

investigations relating to crop insurance and agriculturerelated risks and losses including insurance on losses 

involving reduced forage on rangeland caused by drought 

and by insect infestation, livestock poisoning and disease, 

destruction of bees due to the use of pesticides, and 

other unique special risks related to fruits, nuts, vegetables, aquacultural species, forest industry needs (including appreciation), and other agricultural products as 

determined by the Board.” The Research and Evaluation 

Division of the RMA has the primary responsibility for 

conducting such research, and in many cases enters into 

contractual arrangements or agreements with the 

Economic Research Service, other agencies of the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, land-grant universities, and 

others to carry out this responsibility.

Specialty Crops Research Reports

In 1994, RMA initiated a major effort to research specialty crops in cooperation with the Economic Research 

Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The purpose of this effort was to assess the feasibility of developing risk management policies and programs for new 

and specialty crops. To date, research projects have been 

initiated on more than 50 crops or groups of crops. Each 

project includes a report addressing a number of issues 

associated with offering an insurance program, risk 

management alternatives available to producers by region, 

and the potential problems associated with developing a 

viable risk management program. Research projects are 

initiated for new programs as they are identified as 

viable candidates for expansion. Copies of many of 

these reports are available on RMA's web site at: 

www.rma.usda.gov.

Other Research Projects

Research is underway on existing pilot programs to 

refine program components such as appraisal methods 

and to assess the impacts of production practices such 

as planting dates and plant densities upon yield. Other 

projects, some with significantly different objectives, 

are initiated in order to improve the crop insurance program and address agriculture-related risks and losses.

RMA lists past and present projects on its web site.

Program Expansion

Introduction

Program expansion consists of two distinct processes:

(a) expanding existing crop policies into new areas and

(b) developing new crop programs.

For the 1998 and 1999 crop years, crop insurance was 

offered on 68 and 77 different crops, respectively, as 

shown in Appendices 1A and 1B, or approximately 600 

commodities as enumerated for disaster assistance purposes.1 These crops for which insurance is offered represent approximately 85 percent of the commercial 

value of all crops grown in the United States. Insurance 

program data for the 1998 and 1999 crop years were 

published for 28,161 and 34,849 combinations, respectively, of crops and counties in addition to approximately 

3,000 county crop programs for nursery insurance.

1Crops can be counted in a number of different ways. The number 

reported here is based on an aggregated method for some crops such 

as grapes (with all varieties counted as one crop, except that the 

wine grape (grape) and table grape programs are counted separately). Likewise, nursery includes virtually hundreds of insurable plant 

species, but is counted as one crop. However, types of citrus (such 

as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, etc.) and stonefruit (such as apricots, 

nectarines, and peaches) are each counted as a crop.
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖4

County Program Expansion 

and Increased Coverage Levels

Summary tables showing expansion for the 1998 and 

1999 crop years (1999 and 2000 citrus crop years) of 

existing (permanent, non-pilot) programs into additional 

States and counties are provided in Appendices 2 and 3. 

The summary tables show the total number of States 

and counties that have been added each crop year. For 

example, 179 counties in 11 States were added to the 

fresh market sweet corn program for the 1999 crop year. 

Detailed listings naming the expansion States, crops, 

and counties of existing programs for the 1998 and 

1999 (1999 and 2000 citrus) crop years are provided in 

Appendices 4 and 5. For the 1998 (1999 citrus) crop 

year, 29 different crops were added to 185 counties in 

19 States. For the 1999 (2000 citrus) crop year, 28 different crops were added to 573 counties in 36 States.

Increased coverage levels of 80 percent and 85 percent 

were made available to barley, corn, soybean, and wheat

producers in specific counties for selected permanent 

and pilot programs, offering producers additional flexibility in managing their risk.

Nursery Program Revision and Expansion

RMA significantly changed its nursery insurance program 

for the 1999 crop year. Some of these changes were 

requested by the American Nurserymen’s Association, a 

national trade organization for the nursery industry.

Coverage was extended to include field-grown plant 

materials. This broadened the base of growers who are 

potential customers, providing greater geographical dispersion and reducing the risk of catastrophic program 

losses. In addition, the revised policy provides simplified 

reporting requirements, insurance units by categories 

commonly recognized in the nursery industry, a peak 

inventory endorsement to accommodate seasonal inventory increases, more equitable co-insurance requirements, 

published price elections to reduce pricing vulnerability, 

and the opportunity to purchase coverage year-round.

Status of Pilot Programs

The Crop Revenue Coverage (CRC) and Revenue 

Assurance (RA) Programs reported in previous years in 

this section have been removed because they are submissions under section 508(h) of the Act.

Pilot programs have been initiated on Apple Scab Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Assigned Yields for New 

Producers, Avocados, Avocado/Mango Trees, Blueberries, 

Canola/Rapeseed, Corn Rootworm IPM, Cotton Harvest 

Incentive, Dairy Options, Florida Fruit Trees, the Group 

Risk Plan of insurance, the Income Protection plan of 

insurance, Millet, Pecans, and Sweetpotatoes.

Apple Scab IPM Pilot Program

This pilot program provided insurance protection for the 

1996 crop year to apple growers participating in an 

apple scab IPM demonstration project. The University of 

Vermont and the University of New Hampshire jointly 

conducted the project to demonstrate the effectiveness of 

IPM procedures for control of the apple scab disease. The 

pilot program provided protection for quality losses due to 

scab on apples that otherwise would have been marketable 

as fresh market U.S. Fancy or Extra Fancy apples.

Protection against apple scab quality losses required an 

endorsement to the existing policy, since that policy does 

not protect against quality or production losses due to 

disease or insects. Producers desiring this optional coverage were required to carry additional (buyup) coverage 

on their apples along with the apple scab endorsement.

The demonstration project allowed RMA to provide a 

pilot program of insurance coverage on a small scale to 

evaluate the risks associated with a previously uninsurable 

peril before considering expansion. Support for this IPM 

demonstration project was consistent with the shared 

USDA/Congressional goal of facilitating producers' 

movement to sustainable farming practices. RMA submitted a report to Congress on this program on November 

13, 1998, indicating that until sustained interest and 

adoption of this strategy increases, implementing the 

demonstration project on a national basis is not warranted.

Assigned Yields for New Producers 

(New Producer Pilot Program)

The New Producer Pilot Program was initiated in response 

to Section 508(h)(8) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act, 

as amended by the Federal Crop Insurance Reform Act 

of 1994. This pilot program provides eligible new producers an adjusted yield that is equal to 110 percent of 

the transitional yield, so that credit will be made more 

accessible. The program was available for the 1995 and 

1996 crop years in De Kalb and Cullman Counties, 

Alabama; Fresno, Stanislaus, Tulare and Merced 

Counties, California; Hillsborough and Alachua 

Counties, Florida; Hall and Coffee Counties, Georgia; 

Elkhart, Allen, Adams, Noble, and De Kalb Counties, 

Indiana; Miami and Nemaha Counties, Kansas; Big

Horn and Rosebud Counties, Montana; Duplin, Johnston, 

and Wayne Counties, North Carolina; Brookings, 

Hutchinson, Lake, Lincoln, Minnehaha, and Turner 

Counties, South Dakota; and Cameron, Erath, Hidalgo, 

and McLennan Counties, Texas. Pilot counties were 

selected based on the largest number of young producers reported for counties in the United States. The New 

Producer Pilot Program was extended to include the 

1997 and 1998 crop years in the same counties as the 

original pilot program to permit adequate time for
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖5

analysis of results and to avoid a break in continuity 

while the program is in review.

The Economic Research Service (ERS) conducted a 

review of the pilot program for RMA. In assessing the 

effectiveness of the pilot program in making credit 

available, ERS found that although crop insurance is 

one consideration during a loan application review, a 

borrower's balance sheet is usually the most important 

factor, and the level of the insurance guarantee does not 

appear critical. Almost all lenders indicated that a slight 

increase in the yield guarantee is unlikely to change a 

loan decision. Based in part on ERS' findings, RMA 

discontinued this pilot program at the end of the 1998 

crop year.

Avocado (Revenue) Pilot Program

The Avocado (Revenue) Pilot Program was initiated for 

the 1998, 1999, and 2000 crop years in Ventura County, 

California. This program is being tested as an adaptation 

of the Income Protection Program to a specialty crop.

Producers purchased approximately 270 catastrophic risk 

protection (CAT) policies and 20 additional-coverage 

(buyup) policies for the 1998 crop year, and 320 CAT 

policies and 20 buyup policies for the 1999 crop year.

Avocado/Mango Tree Pilot Program

The Avocado/Mango Tree Pilot Program was initiated in 

Dade County, Florida, for the 1998 crop year as a modification of the Florida Fruit Tree Pilot Program. The 

modification was made at the request of growers who 

felt the Florida pilot program did not fully meet their 

needs. The coverage indemnifies policyholders for trees 

that are killed or severely damaged by the insured perils 

of freeze, wind, and excess moisture. Producers purchased approximately 210 CAT policies and 80 buyup 

policies for the 1998 crop year, and 150 CAT policies 

and 80 buyup policies for the 1999 crop year.

Blueberry Pilot Program

The Blueberry Pilot Program was expanded for the 

1997 crop year beyond the original 1995 crop year programs in Ottawa and Van Buren Counties, Michigan; 

Covington, Forrest, Jones, Lamar, Pearl River, Simpson, 

Smith, and Wayne Counties, Mississippi; Atlantic and 

Burlington Counties, New Jersey; and Bladen County, 

North Carolina. The expansion counties for the 1997 

crop year were Hancock and Washington Counties, 

Maine, for the lowbush blueberry type. The FCIC Board 

of Directors approved expansion of the blueberry pilot 

program into five additional counties in North Carolina 

beginning the 1999 crop year. Producers purchased 

approximately 250 CAT policies and 40 buyup policies 

for the 1998 crop year, and 310 CAT policies and 90 

buyup policies for the 1999 crop year.

Canola/Rapeseed Pilot Program

The Canola/Rapeseed Pilot Program was converted to 

permanent program status in the 1998 crop year (1999 

crop year for the fall crop) from the pilot program which 

began the 1995 crop year. The canola/rapeseed program 

was available in 48 counties for the 1998 crop year, and 

approximately 1,000 CAT policies and 6,900 buyup 

policies were purchased. For 1999, the program was 

available in 104 counties, and approximately 1,200 CAT 

policies and 11,000 buyup policies were purchased.

Corn Rootworm Integrated Pest 

Management (IPM) Pilot Program

This pilot program provides insurance protection to corn 

producers participating in the Agricultural Research 

Service's (ARS) Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 

Area-wide Corn Rootworm Project. This project is funded 

by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and coordinated 

by the ARS Corn Rootworm Laboratory in Brookings, 

South Dakota. It involves land-grant universities in 

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Kansas, and is intended to 

demonstrate the effectiveness of IPM procedures to 

control corn rootworm. RMA is supporting this ARS 

demonstration project by assuring cooperating farmers 

that their crop insurance coverage will apply to acreage in 

the IPM demonstration sites, located in Iroquois County, 

Illinois; Benton and Newton Counties, Indiana; Clinton 

County, Iowa; Republic County, Kansas; Brookings 

County, South Dakota; and Bell County, Texas. For policyholders participating in the ARS Corn Rootworm 

Demonstration project in these counties who insure corn, 

hybrid corn seed, popcorn, or sweet corn, reinsured 

companies are authorized to issue written agreements 

for the 1998 through 2002 crop years which provide the 

specific terms and conditions affecting their insurance.

Cotton Harvest Incentive Pilot Program

This pilot program provides a Cotton Harvest Incentive 

Endorsement designed to offer policyholders an added 

incentive to harvest their cotton crop. The endorsement 

was requested by and developed in cooperation with the 

National Cotton Council of America and members of 

Congress. The program was available for the 1995 and 

1996 crop years in Bailey, Cochran, Dawson, Fisher, 

Hale, Haskell, Howard, Jones, Lamb, Mitchell, Nolan, 

and Scurry Counties, Texas. RMA revised and extended 

the pilot program for the 1997, 1998, and 1999 crop 

years in the same counties.

Dairy Options Pilot Program (DOPP)

RMA developed a program during the 1998 fiscal year 

to help dairy farmers better manage price risk. The 

DOPP is significantly different than traditional crop 

insurance. It is designed to give dairy producers the 

opportunity to learn how futures and options markets 

work by training and real-world experience. The 4-hour
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖6

training session gives producers a good overview on 

how options work and how they can be incorporated in 

marketing plans. Dairy farmers then select a broker and 

lock in a minimum value for their future milk production through the purchase of a government-subsidized 

put option. The subsidy dramatically lowers the cost for 

this risk management tool. Thus, dairy farmers learn to 

use a valuable risk management tool which they otherwise might be hesitant to try.

Florida Fruit Trees Pilot Program

The Florida Fruit Trees Pilot Program on all citrus trees 

and certain tropical fruit trees [avocado, carambola (star 

fruit) and mango] was initiated for the 1996 crop year in 

Highlands, Polk, Martin, Palm Beach, and Dade Counties, 

Florida. The selected counties represent the coastal, 

northern, and southern Florida production areas. The 

insurance indemnifies insureds with a payment for trees 

that are killed or severely damaged by the insured perils 

(freeze, wind, and excess moisture). No other perils are 

insured. This coverage is dollar denominated, which 

allows the insured to select from a range of coverage to 

apply to all covered trees in the county. For the 1998 

crop year, RMA placed avocado and mango trees under 

a separate policy from the other trees to better serve the 

producers' needs. Approximately 1,450 CAT policies 

and 80 buyup policies were purchased for the 1998 crop 

year in the five Florida counties where coverage was 

available. Approximately 1,550 CAT policies and 150 

buyup policies were purchased for the 1999 crop year in 

the same counties.

Group Risk Plan Pilot Program

The Group Risk Plan (GRP) Pilot Program is an area 

plan of insurance first implemented on soybeans in the 

1993 crop year. GRP was expanded in the 1994 crop 

year to include barley, corn, cotton, forage, grain 

sorghum, peanuts, soybeans, and wheat in selected 

States and counties. For the 1997 crop year, the GRP 

wheat program was expanded into an additional 470 

county programs representing 251 new counties (counties which previously had no GRP programs) in 9 new 

States (those which previously had no GRP programs). 

For the 1998 crop year, approximately 8,400 GRP policies were purchased for buyup coverage, and approximately 1,800 GRP forage policies were purchased for 

CAT coverage in the 2,553 GRP county crop programs 

covering corn, cotton, forage, grain sorghum, peanuts, 

soybeans, and wheat. Approximately 6,400 GRP policies were purchased for buyup coverage for the 1999 

crop year, and approximately 2,200 GRP forage policies 

were purchased for CAT coverage in the 2,632 GRP 

county crop programs covering the same crops. In addition to these policies, preliminary estimates indicate 

approximately 100 buyup policies and 100 CAT policies

were purchased for the new GRP rangeland program 

implemented in 12 Montana counties for the 1999 crop 

year. A final rule was published in the Federal Register 

on June 7, 1999, adding regulations for the GRP program at 7 CFR part 407. This action converts the pilot 

program to permanent program status beginning the 

2000 crop year for all GRP crops except rangeland, 

which continues as a pilot program.

Income Protection Pilot Program

The Income Protection (IP) Pilot Program was initiated 

for the 1996 crop year for corn, cotton, and spring wheat 

in selected counties in response to Section 508(h)(6) of 

the Federal Crop Insurance Act, which directed FCIC to 

offer a pilot cost of production risk protection plan of 

insurance. This pilot program provides protection against 

a loss of revenue. Expanding coverage to revenue insurance required FCIC to develop new rating methodology 

and policy terms and conditions. To test these new elements, the initial pilot was limited to corn in 14 counties in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa; cotton in 8 counties 

in Alabama and Georgia; and spring wheat in 7 counties 

in Minnesota and North Dakota. The program has been 

expanded since its first year (with barley being added 

for the 1999 crop year) and now includes barley, corn, 

cotton, grain sorghum, soybeans, and wheat. Approximately 3,250 IP policies were purchased for the 1998 

crop year in 312 IP county crop programs. Approximately 

10,200 IP policies were purchased for the 1999 crop 

year in the 1,304 IP county crop programs.

Millet Pilot Program

The Millet Pilot Program was initiated beginning the 

1996 crop year in Logan County, Colorado; Cheyenne 

and Deuel Counties, Nebraska; Dickey County, North 

Dakota; and Bennett County, South Dakota. The crop is 

planted in the spring and harvested in the fall, often in 

rotation with wheat. Presently, only the proso millet 

type produced for grain is insured. The policy and coverage concepts for millet are similar to those of other 

grains currently insured such as wheat, barley, and grain 

sorghum. Approximately 260 CAT policies and 830 

buyup policies were purchased for the 1998 crop year in 

the five millet county crop programs. Approximately 

270 CAT policies and 860 buyup policies were purchased 

for the 1999 crop year.

Pecan Revenue Pilot Program

This pilot program was initiated to protect producers 

against unavoidable loss of pecan revenue due to insured 

causes when yields and/or prices fall. The pilot program 

was approved for seven counties (one county in New 

Mexico, three counties in Texas, and three counties in 

Georgia). The pecan policy is a continuous policy purchased in 2-year coverage modules; i.e., producers are
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖7

required to remain in the program for 2 crop years at the 

same premium rate, coverage level, and guarantee, provided they do not remove more than 121⁄2 percent of the 

trees. This provision was incorporated into the program 

as a result of the alternate or biennial bearing tendencies 

of the crop. Coverage, premiums, and indemnities are 

processed annually. The amount of insurance per acre is 

based on the producer’s individual average dollar amount 

(an average of the gross sales for the years reported) and 

the coverage level elected. If growers do not provide at 

least 4 years of production and price records, they will 

only be offered insurance from the lowest available revenue span. There is one insurance unit per producer per 

county. The pilot program is scheduled for the 1998, 1999, 

and 2000 crop years. Approximately 90 CAT policies and 

70 buyup policies were purchased for the 1998 crop year 

in the seven pecan revenue county crop programs. Approximately 120 CAT policies and 100 buyup policies were 

purchased for the 1999 crop year in the same county 

crop programs.

Sweetpotato Pilot Program

This pilot program has been initiated to protect producers against unavoidable loss of production due to 

insured causes, and has been approved for eight counties (three counties in Louisiana, two counties in North 

Carolina, and one county each in California, Alabama, 

and South Carolina). Insurance provisions are very similar to the numerous other APH-based programs currently available. The California program provides optional 

units by type. The pilot program is scheduled for the 

1998, 1999, and 2000 crop years. Approximately 60 

CAT and 160 buyup policies were purchased for the 

1998 crop year and 90 CAT policies and 290 buyup 

policies were purchased for the 1999 crop year in the 

eight sweetpotato county crop programs.

New Pilot Programs for the 1999 Crop Year

The FCIC Board of Directors approved expansion into 

the following pilot programs beginning with the 1999 

crop year. Appendix 6 provides a detailed listing of 

these new pilot program initiatives.

Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) Pilot Program 

The AGR Pilot Program guarantees farmers a percentage of farm revenue based on a 5-year average of farm 

income as reported on their Schedule F tax form, 

regardless of the crops grown. This pilot program was 

implemented in 36 selected counties in Florida, Maine, 

Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Hampshire. If this 

pilot program proves successful, it has the potential to 

provide a risk management opportunity to producers of 

many agricultural commodities for which individual 

crop insurance programs do not exist.

Avocado APH Pilot Program

This pilot program was initiated in Dade County, 

Florida, and provides producers protection against 

unavoidable production losses. The pilot program is 

scheduled for the 1999 through 2001 crop years.

Cabbage Pilot Program

This pilot program was initiated in seven counties in 

Georgia, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, and 

Virginia for the 1999 crop year. The pilot will be introduced to an additional six counties in Florida, Georgia, 

South Carolina, and Texas for the 2000 crop year. The 

pilot program provides producers protection against 

unavoidable production losses, and is scheduled for the 

1999 through 2001 crop years, and the 2000 through

2002 crop years.

Cherry Pilot Program

This pilot program was initiated in nine counties in 

California, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, and is a 

dollar amount of insurance plan. The pilot program is 

scheduled for the 1999 through 2001 crop years.

Crambe Pilot Program

This pilot program was initiated in all counties in North 

Dakota, and provides producers protection against 

unavoidable production losses. The pilot program is 

scheduled for the 1999 through 2001 crop years.

Cultivated Wild Rice Pilot Program

This pilot program was initiated in10 counties in 

California and Minnesota, and provides producers protection against unavoidable production losses. The pilot program is scheduled for the 1999 through 2001 crop years.

Income Protection Barley Pilot Program

The Income Protection Pilot Program was expanded to 

include coverage for barley. This pilot program was initiated in Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, 

Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington, in counties 

where barley is insured under the APH program, and 

provides producers protection due to insurable reductions in yield, price, or a combination of both. This pilot 

program provides a malting barley endorsement based 

on the APH malting barley endorsement. The pilot program will be offered for the 1999 through 2001 crop 

years and includes increased coverage levels of 80 and 

85 percent.

Income Protection with Coverage Levels 

to 85 Percent

This pilot program offers IP coverage levels to 85 percent in the spring wheat-only counties of Minnesota, 

North Dakota, and South Dakota, and in Daniels, 

Roosevelt, Sheridan, and Valley counties, Montana.
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖8

Indexed IP Pilot Program

This pilot program was initiated in Maryland and North 

Carolina for corn and soybeans, and New York and 

Pennsylvania for corn only. The pilot program provides 

producers protection against a loss of revenue due to

insurable reductions in yield, price, or a combination of 

both. The pilot program changes the current IP pilot 

program approved yield calculation, and may provide an 

improved yield guarantee for producers in areas that 

have experienced unusually low yields in recent years. 

The pilot program is scheduled for the 1999 through 

2001 crop years.

Mustard Pilot Program

This pilot program was initiated in all counties in North 

Dakota, and provides producers of yellow mustard protection against unavoidable production losses. The pilot

program is scheduled for the 1999 through 2001 crop years.

Rangeland (GRP) Pilot Program

This pilot program was initiated in 12 Montana counties, and expands the GRP concept to rangeland. The 

pilot program is scheduled for the 1999 through 2001 

crop years.

Watermelon Pilot Program

This pilot program was initiated in 15 counties in Alabama, 

Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, 

and Texas. The pilot program provides producers protection against unavoidable production losses and was 

scheduled for the 1999 through 2001 crop years. As a 

result of complaints received regarding the pilot program, 

FCIC published a Notice and Request for Public Comment 

on the Watermelon Pilot Crop Insurance Program in the 

Federal Register on Monday, September 13, 1999. The 

notice suspended the pilot program for the 2000 crop 

year and solicited comments regarding a revised program.

Winter Squash Pilot Program

This pilot program was initiated in 12 counties in 

Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York 

for acorn, butternut, and buttercup winter squash. The 

pilot program is a dollar amount of insurance plan and 

is scheduled for the 1999 through 2001 crop years.

Expansion of Existing Pilot Programs 

for the 1999 Crop Year

The following existing pilot programs were expanded 

for the 1999 crop year (Appendix 6 provides a detailed 

listing of these new initiatives):

 Blueberries

 GRP Corn, Cotton, Grain Sorghum, and Soybeans

 IP Corn, Soybeans, and Wheat

 Indexed IP Corn and Soybeans

Increased coverage levels of 80 percent and 85 percent 

have been made available for barley, corn, soybean, and 

wheat producers in specific counties for selected permanent and pilot programs, offering producers additional 

flexibility in managing their risk.

Program Expansion Beyond the 1999 Crop Year

Expansion of Existing Programs into Additional Areas. 

RMA continues to expand existing programs into additional counties, crop types, crop varieties, and insurance 

practices. Examples of county program expansions can 

be seen in Appendices 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Expansion of Pilot Programs. As a general rule, expansion of a pilot program during the pilot period will be 

considered only if such expansion will provide different 

experience (such as different crop types or practices 

than the original pilot program) that does not duplicate 

the experience gained in the original pilot program.

Expansion into New Programs. RMA is aggressively continuing its efforts toward new program research and 

expansion. Several forms of risk management are being 

considered in these efforts, including concepts for providing 

“umbrella” coverage for larger groups of similar uninsured 

crops. Specific programs currently at the forefront of the 

schedule for new program development include:

 Aquaculture  Fresh market beans

 Chili peppers  Mint

 Citrus (dollar)  Raspberries/

 Cucumbers blackberries

 Forage/grass seed  Strawberries

Other programs of significant economic value being 

considered for program development include:

 Broccoli  Floriculture

 Carrots  Garlic

 Cauliflower  Lettuce

 Celery

At some point during the developmental process, it is 

possible that a decision will be made not to proceed 

with initiation of the proposed program at that time.

Public Awareness

Internet Web Sites

The internet home page of the Risk Management Agency 

is devoted to making it easier for producers and other 

customers to access crop insurance data and materials 

related to the agency's work. The following is a sample
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖9

of the information provided via the web site at: 

www.rma.usda.gov.

 Actuarial information

 Agent Locator

 Calendar of Events

 Crop Policies

 Crop Weather

 Participation Data

 Pilot Programs

 Feasibility studies

 Publications, which include, among others:

• An indexed listing of past and present projects

• New Program Development Handbook

• New Program Development Data Requirements

• FCIC Board Briefs and Manager's reports

• Summary of Business reports

• Manager's Bulletins

• Research and Development Bulletins

Risk Management Education

During FY 1998, RMA's Risk Management Education 

(RME) program used many methods to raise awareness 

for and to communicate key program information on 

new and specialty crop expansion. These include:

National Partnerships

RMA established a national network of government, 

extension, and private sector risk management leaders. 

This network raised awareness of risk management at 

the national level and stimulated educational activity 

through the partners' respective organizations.

State/Regional Partnerships and Conferences 

Working with regional coordinators from the Cooperative 

State Research, Education, and Extension Service 

(CSREES), RMA's regional offices established partnerships with public and private sectors across the country. 

These partnerships organized 10 regional and State 

RME conferences, with many more planned through the 

winter of 1999.

Publications

Over 500,000 copies of the 18-page “Introduction to 

Risk Management” have been distributed since the 

RME initiative was launched in September 1997. Other 

publications include 16 fact sheets, “1998 Revenue 

Crop Insurance Plans,” and a Spanish language translation of “Introduction to Risk Management.”

RME Competitive Grants

In June 1998, a $3 million RME grants program awarded funding to 17 projects to (a) deliver education in risk 

management, (b) develop curriculum, or (c) carry out 

supportive research. Four of the projects target the 

needs of small and limited-resource farmers, who are 

key producers of specialty crops.

Program Presentations

RMA made 14 presentations during FY 1998 to major 

commodity and trade groups, in addition to regular presentations at RME conferences. At the regional or State 

levels, 365 presentations on risk management were made.

Educational Web Sites

Risk management education efforts are highlighted 

throughout the RMA web site. RMA funding also sponsored the National Agricultural Risk Library, a web site 

with a comprehensive collection of risk management 

materials, housed at the University of Minnesota at: 

www.agrisk.umn.edu.

Other National Activities

Other RMA-sponsored educational activities include (a) 

a risk management essay contest through the FFA, (b) a 

satellite broadcast on risk management through the 

Young Farmers organization, and (c) a special video 

broadcast on the 1998 drought in the Southeastern 

United States.

Miscellaneous Activities

The Specialty Crops Coordinator participated in meetings; field visits; training sessions; speaking engagements; and other contacts with growers, grower association representatives, the insurance industry, congressional representatives, and internal organizations. These 

efforts were made to communicate the agency's new and 

specialty crops program and gather information on 

needs and interests of producers. Project managers for 

the new program development projects have also participated in such activities, along with representatives from 

the agency's Regional Service Offices, Washington, 

D.C., office, and Kansas City, Missouri, office. In conjunction with and in addition to RMA's activities, public 

awareness of agricultural risk management has been 

increased significantly by the efforts of representatives 

of Congress, the crop insurance industry, other government agencies, academia, the media, and the agriculture 

industry in general.
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖10

Appendix Tables

Appendix Table 1A—Individual Crops Insured under 1998 Crop Insurance Programs

Almonds 

Apples 

Avocado1

Avocado/Mango Trees (Florida)1 

Barley

Blueberries1 

Canola/Rapeseed 

Citrus

• Grapefruit

• Lemons

• Limes

• Mandarins

• Murcotts

• Oranges

• Tangelos

• Tangerines 

Citrus Tree (Texas)

Corn (APH, CRC1, GRP1, IP1, RA1) 

Cotton (APH, CRC1, GRP1, IP1)

Cranberries 

Dry Beans 

Dry Peas 

ELS Cotton 

Figs

Flax

Florida Fruit Tree1 

Forage (APH, GRP1) 

Forage Seeding

Fresh Market Sweet Corn 

Fresh Market Tomatoes

Grain Sorghum (APH, CRC1, GRP1, IP1) 

Grapes

Green Beans for Canning 

Green Peas

Hybrid Corn Seed

Hybrid Grain Sorghum Seed 

Macadamia Nuts 

Macadamia Trees

Millet1 

Nursery 

Oats 

Onions 

Peaches

Peanuts (APH, GRP1) 

Pears

Pecans1 

Peppers 

Plums2 

Popcorn 

Potatoes 

Prunes 

Raisins 

Rice 

Rye

Safflower

Soybeans (APH, CRC1, GRP1, IP1, RA1)

Stonefruit

• California Apricots (Fresh and Processing)

• California Nectarines (Fresh)

• California Peaches (Fresh and Processing) 

Sugar Beets

Sugarcane 

Sunflowers

Sweet Corn for Canning 

Sweetpotatoes1

Table Grapes 

Tobacco

Tomatoes (Canning and Processing) 

Walnuts

Wheat (APH, CRC1, GRP1, IP1)

1Crops/crop programs which are currently insured under pilot programs of limited scope and duration.

2Fresh plums were changed to plums (including both fresh and processing) the 1998 crop year.

APH = Actual Production History; CRC = Crop Revenue Coverage; GRP = Group Risk Plan; IP = Income Protection; RA = 

Revenue Assurance.

Note: See footnote to “Introduction” of the “Program Expansion” section.
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖11

Appendix Table 1B—Individual Crops Insured under 1999 Crop Insurance Programs

Almonds 

Apples

Avocado Revenue1 

Avocado/Mango Trees (Florida)1 

Avocado Yield Guarantee1 

Barley (APH, IP1)

Blueberries1 

Cabbage1 

Canola/Rapeseed 

Cherry (Dollar)1 

Citrus

• Grapefruit

• Lemons

• Limes

• Mandarins

• Murcotts

• Oranges

• Tangelos

• Tangerines 

Citrus Tree (Texas)

Corn (APH, CRC1, GRIP1, GRP1, IP1, RA1) 

Cotton (APH, CRC1, GRP1, IP1)

Crambe1 

Cranberries 

Dry Beans 

Dry Peas 

ELS Cotton 

Figs

Flax

Florida Fruit Tree1 

Forage (APH, GRP) 

Forage Seeding

Fresh Market Sweet Corn 

Fresh Market Tomatoes

Grain Sorghum (APH, CRC1, GRP1, IP1) 

Grapes

Green Beans for Canning 

Green Peas

Hybrid Corn Seed

Hybrid Grain Sorghum Seed 

Macadamia Nuts 

Macadamia Trees

Millet1 

Mustard1 

Nursery 

Oats 

Onions 

Peaches

Peanuts (APH, GRP1) 

Pears

Pecan Revenue1 

Peppers

Plums 

Popcorn 

Potatoes 

Prunes 

Raisins

Rangeland (GRP)1 

Rice (APH, CRC1)

Rye 

Safflower

Soybeans (APH, CRC1, GRIP1, GRP1, IP1, RA1)

Stonefruit

• California Apricots

• California Nectarines

• California Peaches 

Sugar Beets 

Sugarcane 

Sunflowers

Sweet Corn for Canning 

Sweetpotatoes1

Table Grapes 

Tobacco

Tomatoes (Canning and Processing) 

Walnuts

Watermelon1

Wheat (APH, CRC1, GRP1, IP1, RA1)

Wild Rice1 

Winter Squash1

1Crops/crop programs which are currently insured under pilot programs of limited scope and duration.

APH = Actual Production History; CRC = Crop Revenue Coverage; GRIP = Group Risk Income Protection; GRP = Group Risk Plan; IP = 

Income Protection; RA = Revenue Assurance.
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖12

Appendix Table 2—1998 Existing Program Appendix Table 3—1999 Existing Program 

Expansion Summary1 Expansion Summary1

Crop States Counties Crop States Counties

- - - - - - - Number - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Number-------------

Apples 3 3 Apples 12 64

Canola 3 29 Barley 1 1

Citrus 1 1 Canola 5 56

Corn 3 3 Corn 4 7

Cotton 4 9 Cotton 5 23

Cranberries 1 1 Dry Beans 1 2

Forage Production 3 11 Dry Peas 1 4

Forage Seeding 2 9 Forage Production 2 67

Grain Sorghum 1 1 Forage Seeding 4 70

Green Peas 1 4 Grain Sorghum 2 2

Hybrid Corn Seed 2 3 Grapes 1 1

Hybrid Sorghum Seed 1 3 Green Peas 4 19

Lemons 1 1 Hybrid Corn Seed 1 1

Oats 1 3 Mandarins 1 2

Onions 2 35 Minneola Tangelos 1 1

Peaches 2 3 Oats 2 2

Peanuts 1 1 Onions 1 2

Pears 1 1 Peaches 2 3

Popcorn 3 9 Peanuts 1 3

Potatoes 3 5 Popcorn 2 5

Processing Beans 1 2 Potatoes 6 11

Rye 1 5 Processing Beans 2 6

Soybeans 2 5 Soybeans 4 24

Sugar Beets 5 15 Sugar Beets 3 3

Sunflowers 2 6 Sunflowers 4 9

Sweet Corn 1 6 Sweet Corn, Fresh Market 11 179

Sweet Corn, Fresh Market 1 3 Tomatoes 2 3

Sweet Oranges 1 2 Wheat 2 3

Wheat 1 6

1Permanent (non-pilot) programs for the 1999 crop year (2000 citrus

1Permanent (non-pilot) programs for the 1998 crop year (1999 citrus types/crops) 

types/crops).
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖13

Appendix Table 4—1998 (1999 Citrus) Permanent Program Expansion Detailed List

State Crop Counties

Alabama Cotton Clarke

Peaches Autauga

Alaska Potatoes Fairbanks-Northstar, Southeast-Fairbanks

California Apples Kings

Forage Production Colusa, Sacramento, Sutter, Tehama

Lemons San Luis Obispo

Sweet Oranges Kern, Tulare

Colorado Fresh Mkt. Sweet Corn Delta, Mesa, Montrose

Sugar Beets Phillips, Sedgwick, Yuma

Florida Citrus Citrus

Corn Flagler

Georgia Cotton Brantley, Hancock, Liberty, Long, Pike

Onions Appling, Bacon, Bullock, Candler, Dodge, Emanuel, Evans,

Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jenkins, Laurens, Long, Montgomery,

Pierce, Screven, Seminole, Tattnall, Telfair, Tift, Toombs,

Treutlen, Wayne, Wheeler, Worth

Peaches Bleckley, Monroe

Iowa Popcorn Carroll, Davis

Kansas Popcorn Grant, Hamilton, Morton, Stanton, Stevens

Michigan Apple Clinton

Hybrid Corn Seed Tuscola

Minnesota Canola Beltrami, Clearwater, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods,

Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, East Polk,

West Polk, Red Lake

Forage Production Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Redwood, Renville,

Yellow Medicine

Forage Seeding Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Redwood, Renville,

Yellow Medicine

Green Peas Cottonwood, Pope, Stevens, Swift

Potatoes Clearwater, Lake of the Woods

Sugar Beets Brown, Nicollet

Sweet Corn Cottonwood, Douglas, East Ottertail, Grant, Stevens, Swift

Mississippi Corn Scott

Cotton Jones

Montana Canola Chouteau, Fergus, Liberty, Pondera, Teton, Toole

Nebraska Popcorn Hamilton, Johnson

Sugar Beets Chase, Deuel, Keith, Perkins

Sunflowers Dawson, Gosper, Phelps

Nevada Forage Seeding Churchill, Lyon

North Dakota Canola Benson, Eddy, Foster, Grand Forks, McHenry, Nelson,

Pembina, Renville, Stutsman, Walsh, Ward, Wells

Forage Production Slope

Oklahoma Potatoes Caddo

Rye Logan, Alfalfa, Blaine, Kingfisher, Major

Soybeans Garfield, Kingfisher

Oregon Apple Wasco

Cranberries Curry

Pears Wasco

Sugar Beets Union

South Carolina Cotton Fairfield, Newberry

Continued—
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖14

Appendix Table 4—1998 (1999 Citrus) Permanent Program Expansion Detailed List—cont’d

State Crop Counties

Texas Corn Wheeler

Canning & Processing Beans Bailey, Lamb

Grain Sorghum Reeves

Hybrid Corn Seed Medina, Uvalde

Hybrid Sorghum Seed Briscoe, Carson, Lamb

Oats Blanco, Comal, Hays

Onions Cameron, Dimmit, Hidalgo, Kleberg, Maverick, Starr, Uvalde,

Webb, Willacy, Zapata, Zavala

Peanuts Karnes

Soybeans Brazos, Carson, Goliad

Sugar Beets Bailey, Floyd, Hale, Lamb, Potter

Sunflowers Briscoe, Carson, Hale

Wheat Colorado, Fort Bend, Jackson, Kleberg, Reeves, Refugio
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖15

Appendix Table 5—1999 (2000 Citrus) Permanent Program Expansion Detailed List

State Crop Counties

Alabama Cotton Chambers, Lawrence

Peaches Morgan

Arizona Wheat Cochise

Arkansas Corn Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Logan

Grain Sorghum Johnson

California Cotton Colusa, Glenn, Yolo

Mandarins Kern, Tulare

Minneola Tangelos Fresno

Oats Stanislaus

Tomatoes Tulare

Colorado Grapes Mesa

Connecticut Apples Middlesex, Tolland

Fresh Mkt Sweet Corn Fairfield, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London,

Tolland, Windham

Georgia Cotton Bibb

Idaho Canola Bannock, Benewah, Bingham, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville,

Boundary, Caribou, Cassia, Clearwater, Fremont, Gooding,

Idaho, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Lincoln, Madison,

Minidoka, Nez Perce, Oneida, Power, Teton, Twin Falls

Green Peas Canyon, Gooding

Indiana Apples Hancock, Marion, Spencer

Popcorn Delaware, Hamilton, Randolph

Tomatoes Blackford, Shelby

Wheat Brown, Starke

Iowa Forage Production Adair, Allamakee, Appanoose, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton,

Decatur, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Jackson, Lucas, Lyon,

Madison, Marion, Monroe, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth,

Ringgold, Union, Warren, Wayne

Forage Seeding Adair, Allamakee, Appanoose, Cherokee, Clarke, Clayton,

Decatur, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Jackson, Lucas, Lyon,

Madison, Marion, Monroe, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth,

Ringgold, Union, Warren, Wayne

Kansas Corn Clark

Cotton Barber, Butler, Cowley, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Marion,

Pratt, Sedgwick, Sumner

Soybeans Clark, Comanche, Logan

Maine Apples Cumberland, Knox

Fresh Mkt Sweet Corn Androscoggin, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln,

Oxford, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo,

Washington, York

Maryland Apples Frederick, Harford, Somerset, Worcester

Fresh Mkt Sweet Corn Montgomery, Somerset, Wicomico

Massachusetts Apples Bristol, Essex, Norfolk

Fresh Mkt Sweet Corn Barnstable, Berkshire, Essex, Franklin, Hampshire,

Hampton, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Worcester

Michigan Potatoes St. Joseph

Minnesota Forage Production Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Brown, Carlton, Cass, Clay,

Clearwater, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, East Polk, Fillmore,

Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec,

Kittson, Le Sueur, Mahnomen, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Mower,

Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmsted, Pennington,

Pine, Pipestone, Red Lake, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott,

Continued—
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖16

Appendix Table 5—1999 (2000 Citrus) Permanent Program Expansion Detailed List—cont’d

State Crop Counties

Minnesota Forage Production Sibley, St. Louis, Wabasha, Wadena, West Polk, Winona

Forage Seeding Aitkin, Becker, Beltrami, Brown, Carlton, Cass, Clay,

Clearwater, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, East Polk, Fillmore,

Goodhue, Houston, Hubbard, Itasca, Jackson, Kanabec,

Kittson, Le Sueur, Mahnomen, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Mower,

Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Norman, Olmstead, Pennington,

Pine, Pipestone, Red Lake, Rice, Rock, Roseau, Scott,

Sibley, St. Louis, Wabasha, Wadena, West Polk, Winona

Sugar Beets Roseau

Montana Canola Blaine, Cascade, Daniels, Hill, Judith Basin, Phillips,

Roosevelt, Sheridan, Valley

Dry Peas Chouteau, Flathead, Hill, Liberty

Potatoes Liberty

Sunflowers Wibaux

Nebraska Oats Scotts Bluff

Popcorn Otoe, Red Willow

Sugar Beets Garden

New Hampshire Apples Carroll, Cheshire, Grafton, Stafford, Sullivan

Fresh Mkt Sweet Corn Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford,

Sullivan

New Jersey Apples Hunterdon, Mercer, Salem, Somerset, Warren

Fresh Mkt Sweet Corn Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland,

Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Ocean, Salem,

Somerset, Sussex, Warren

Peaches Salem

New Mexico Dry Beans Curry, San Juan

Potatoes Lea

New York Fresh Mkt Sweet Corn Albany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung,

Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware,

Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene,

Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe,

Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orleans,

Otsego, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady,

Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca

Fresh Mkt Sweet Corn St. Lawrence, Steuben, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins,

Ulster, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westchester, Wyoming,

Yates

Green Peas Cayuga, Onondaga, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben,

Tompkins

Onions Cayuga, Ontario

North Dakota Canola Barnes, Burke, Burleigh, Divide, Griggs, Kidder, McLean,

Mountrail, Sheridan, Williams

Forage Seeding Pembina, Traill

Potatoes Logan, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Ramsey

Sunflowers Golden Valley

Ohio Apples Fulton, Lucas

Oklahoma Corn Blaine

Cotton Garfield, Grant, Hughes, Kay, Noble, Osage, Pottawatomie,

Wagoner

Soybeans Adair, Alfalfa, Blaine, Cherokee, Greer, Jackson, Kiowa,

Lincoln, Marshall, Payne, Tillman, Washita

Continued—
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖17

Appendix Table 5—1999 (2000 Citrus) Permanent Program Expansion Detailed List—cont’d

State Crop Counties

Oregon Apples Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Linn, Polk,

Washington, Yamhill

Canola Gilliam, Sherman, Wallowa, Wasco

Pennsylvania Apples Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Clarion, Fayette,

Indiana, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Mifflin, Monroe,

Northumberland, Tioga, Union, Westmoreland, Wyoming

Fresh Mkt Sweet Corn Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair,

Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Carbon, Centre,

Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford,

Cumberland, Delaware, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Franklin,

Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata,

Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Lycoming,

McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour,

Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Pike, Potter,

Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga,

Venango, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wyoming

Green Peas Berks, Lebanon, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Union

Rhode Island Fresh Mkt Sweet Corn Bristol, Kent, Newport, Providence

South Dakota Forage Seeding Brookings

Potatoes Lyman, Stanley

Texas Corn Terry

Grain Sorghum Hopkins

Hybrid Seed Corn Frio

Peanuts Cochran, Martin, Wheeler

Soybeans Burleson, Dallas, Denton, Fayette, Hidalgo, Randall, Starr,

Willacy

Sunflowers Bailey, Cochran, Moore, Randall, Swisher

Vermont Apples Bennington

Fresh Mkt Sweet Corn Addison, Bennington, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille,

Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, Windsor

Virginia Apples Culpeper, Orange, Scott

Barley Fluvana

Fresh Mkt Sweet Corn New Kent

Washington Canola Adams, Asotin, Garfield, Klickitat, Lincoln, Pend Oreille,

Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla

Green Peas Adams, Benton, Klickitat, Yakima

Potatoes Lincoln

Processing Beans Adams, Benton, Grant, Klickitat, Yakima

Sugar Beets Lincoln

West Virginia Apples Calhoun, Harrison, Mercer, Monroe, Nicholas, Putnam,

Webster

Soybeans Jackson

Wisconsin Processing Beans Marquette

Wyoming Sunflowers Goshen, Laramie
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖18

Appendix Table 6—1999 Pilot Program Expansion Detailed List

State Crop Counties

Alabama Watermelon Geneva

California Cherries San Joaquin

Cultivated Wild Rice Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Sutter

Connecticut Winter Squash Hartford

Delaware Watermelon Sussex

Florida AGR Alachua, Gilchrist, Levy, Marion, Sumter, Suwannee

Avocado APH Dade

Watermelon Alachua, Jackson, Manatee

Georgia Cabbage Rabun

Watermelon Crisp, Tift, Turner, Worth

Idaho Barley IP All counties except Shoshone

Wheat Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce

(80% & 85% Coverage Level)

Illinois Corn GRP Massac

Corn IP Available in all counties

Soybeans GRP Calhoun, Carroll, Jo Daviess, Stephenson

Soybeans IP All counties

Indiana Corn IP Available in all counties (previous counties were Benton,

Fountain, Warren)

Soybeans IP All counties

Iowa Soybeans GRP Allamakee, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Jackson,

Winneshiek

Kansas Grain Sorghum GRP Anderson, Atchison, Cherokee, Edwards, Ellis, Finney, Ford,

Gove, Graham, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Haskell,

Hodgeman, Jackson, Kearny, Kingman, Kiowa, Lane, Logan,

Meade, Morton, Ness, Ottawa, Pawnee, Pratt, Rawlins,

Rooks, Rush, Russell, Saline, Scott, Seward, Sheridan,

Stanton, Stevens, Sumner, Thomas, Trego, Wichita

Kentucky Soybeans GRP Hardin

Maine AGR Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, York

Maryland Corn Indexed IP All counties

Soybeans Indexed IP All counties except Garrett

Watermelon Wicomico

Massachusetts AGR Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin,

Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk,

Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester

Winter Squash Berkshire, Bristol, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire

Michigan AGR Allegan, Berrien, Kent, Ottawa, Van Buren

Corn GRP St. Clair

Soybeans GRP Allegan, Huron, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Lapeer, Livingston,

Montcalm, Van Buren, Washtenaw

Minnesota Barley IP All counties except Anoka, Blue Earth, Brown, Cook,

Faribault, Freeborn, Jackson, Lake, Martin, Mower, Nicollet,

Nobles, Ramsey, Waseca, Watonwan

Cultivated Wild Rice Aitkin, Beltrami, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, Pennington,

East Polk

Spring Wheat IP All counties except Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Lake, Ramsey

Montana Barley IP All counties except Lincoln

Cherries Lake

Rangeland GRP Big Horn, Blaine, Carter, Custer, Fallon, Glacier, Phillips,

Powder River, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Valley

Spring Wheat IP Daniels, Roosevelt, Sheridan, and Valley

Continued—
Report to Congress: New and Specialty Crops / November 1999 Risk Management Agency / USDA ❖19

Appendix Table 6—1999 Pilot Program Expansion Detailed List—cont’d

State Crop Counties

Montana (cont’d) Winter Wheat IP All counties except Lincoln and Silver Bow

New Hampshire AGR Belknap, Cheshire, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, 

Strafford, Sullivan

New Jersey Winter Squash Atlantic, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem 

New York Cabbage Monroe, Ontario, Orleans

Corn Indexed IP All counties except Bronx, Hamilton, Kings, Nassau, New

York, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Westchester

Winter Squash Monroe, Orleans

North Carolina Blueberries Columbus, Craven, Duplin, Pender, Sampson 

Cabbage Pasquotank

Corn Indexed IP All counties

Soybeans Indexed IP All counties except Alleghany, Ashe, Clay, Graham

Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Swain, 

Yancey

Watermelon Chowan, Sampson

North Dakota Barley IP All counties

Crambe All counties

Mustard All counties

Spring Wheat IP All counties

Oregon Barley IP All counties except Clatsop, Coos, Curry, Hood River, 

Lincoln, Tillamook

Cherries Hood River, Wasco

Wheat Gilliam, Morrow, Sherman, Wallowa, Wasco, Umatilla 

(80% and 85%Coverage Level)

Winter Wheat IP All counties except Clatsop, Coos, Curry, Gilliam,

Hood River, Lincoln, Morrow, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco

Pennsylvania Cabbage Schuylkill

Corn Indexed IP All counties except Philadelphia

South Dakota Barley IP Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Campbell, Clark, Clay, 

Codington, Corson, Day, Deuel, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, 

Hamlin, Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, McPherson, 

Marshall, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Roberts, Spink, Turner, 

Union, Walworth, Yankton

Wheat IP All counties

Texas Cotton GRP Castro, Dawson, Ellis, Falls, Fort Bend, Hill, Jackson, 

Matagorda, Milam, Navarro, Robertson, Taylor, Wharton, 

Wilbarger, Williamson

Grain Sorghum IP El Paso, Jeff Davis, Orange, Pecos, Reeves

Watermelon Duval, Frio, Hidalgo

Virginia Cabbage Carroll

Washington Barley IP All counties except Jefferson

Cherries Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Yakima

Wheat Adams, Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, 

(80% & 85 % Coverage Level) Klickitat, Lincoln, Walla Walla, Whitman, Yakima

Winter Wheat IP All counties except Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap,

Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, Wahkiakum, 

Whitman

AGR = Adjusted Gross Revenue; APH = Actual Production History; GRP = Group Risk Plan; IP = Income Protection.