Deadline for Growers of Greens Jan. 1, 2016
By Carol Sanders
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Dec. 11, 2015
(327 words)
PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Once again growers of spring and fall greens have a Jan. 1 deadline to enroll in the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). The Jan. 1, 2016 deadline is earlier than deadlines for growers of other crops.
At the time of enrollment, farmers must specify if they are signing up for spring, fall or both plantings of greens. NAP provides financial assistance to growers of crops for which
no crop insurance is available, when low yields occur or planting is prevented due to a natural disaster.
Prof. Henry English, head of the Small Farm Program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, said growers should be aware of important NAP changes made by the Agricultural Act of 2014. One is a “buy-up” coverage option. NAP coverage is now available at 50, 55, 60 and 65 percent of the farmer’s 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.
The NAP fee waivers and premium reductions are important to certain growers, English said. Basic NAP coverage is now free to all farmers who qualify as beginning, limited resource or socially disadvantaged. Socially disadvantaged now includes women, English said. Previously, only limited resource farmers were eligible.
Farmers in these categories are also eligible for a 50 percent reduction in NAP buy-up coverage premiums. To be eligible for a fee waiver or premium reduction farmers must certify their status when they apply for coverage at their Farm Service Agency office, English said.
If a loss occurs, growers should report it within 72 hours if harvest is complete or when damage is apparent, and to file a written notice within 15 calendar days. Producers should not destroy the crop until a loss adjuster inspects the loss.
“If producers plow under a crop before an inspection by an adjuster, they will be ineligible for compensation,” English said.
For more information on NAP and other programs, contact your local Cooperative Extension agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Program offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
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