New England tree fruit producers have several options to protect their crops and income from losses caused by natural disasters.
Federal Crop Insurance
Federal Crop Insurance is available in many New England Counties on apples and peaches. Apple and peach insurance is not available in all counties (peach insurance is not available in any county in Maine). Producers should check the USDA Risk Management Agency Commodity Programs map to determine the policies available in each county for apples or peaches: https://public-rma.fpac.usda.gov/apps/mapviewer/commodity
Producers have the option to insure 50-75% of their historical established yield. The sales closing deadline is November 20th for the succeeding year. Federal Crop Insurance is sold by private crop insurance agents. Click on this link to find a Federal Crop Insurance agent: https://www.rma.usda.gov/tools-reports/agent-locator
The USDA - Risk Management Agency is considering revisions to the apple policy. Proposed changes were published in the Federal Register in 2021 and a final rule is still pending as of 2025 . Contact a crop insurance agent or visit the USDA RMA website for information about the status of these revisions.
Tree fruit producers also have the option of purchasing a revenue-based policy. Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) is an insurance plan that protects against low revenue due to unavoidable natural disasters and/or market fluctuations. For more information on Whole Farm Revenue Protection, click here: https://www.rma.usda.gov/policy-procedure/general-policies/whole-farm-revenue-protection Sales closing deadlines for WFRP vary depending on your tax year and is explained in the WFRP factsheet.
Another option available to tree fruit producers is the Micro Farm Policy. The Micro Farm Policy became available for the 2022 crop year and is very similar to the WFRP policy in that it is a revenue-based policy. The advantage of the Micro Farm Policy is that it significantly reduces record keeping requirements, however, the Micro Farm Policy is only available to producers who have an operation that earns an approved revenue of $350,000 or less. For more information on the Micro Farm Policy click: https://www.rma.usda.gov/policy-procedure/general-policies/whole-farm-revenue-protection
If you grow a crop that is not covered by Federal Crop Insurance in your county you have the option to attempt to obtain coverage on that crop under a "Written Agreement". A “Written Agreement” is a process completed by an authorized crop insurance sales agent that applies for coverage using actuarial data and prices for crops already covered in other counties. Anyone interested in this option is encouraged to contact a crop insurance agent as soon as possible.
The 2018 Farm Bill directed the USDA - Risk Management Agency (RMA), the agency responsible for Federal Crop Insurance, to seek out opportunities to expand coverage of individual crops along with developing new types of policies to assist producers in managing weather related risks. For guidance on making submissions to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, see Private Sector Developed Plans of Insurance on RMA’s website, https://www.rma.usda.gov/about-rma/fcic/private-sector-developed-plans.
Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
Growers of tree fruit crops not covered by Federal Crop Insurance can obtain coverage on their noninsured crops through the USDA - Farm Service Agency (FSA). NAP provides catastrophic coverage at 50% of the potential production based on the individual producer’s historical yield and 55% of the established price. Producers can also purchase a higher level of coverage, called “buy-up” coverage, for up to 65% of the producer’s historical yield and up to 100% of the established price for the crop. For more information and applicable deadlines, visit your local FSA Office: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices
Tree Assistance Program (TAP)
The purpose of TAP is to provide financial assistance to eligible orchardists to replant or rehabilitate eligible fruit trees lost by natural disasters. TAP is administered by the USDA - Farm Service Agency (FSA) and interested producers should contact the Office that serves their farming operation. For more information click here: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/disaster-assistance-program/tree-assistance-program.
For More Information
Additional information on Federal Crop Insurance and the USDA - FSA programs may be available through state university Extension offices. Contact your local tree fruit Extension specialist, or see the state Extension program websites listed below:
University of Connecticut
- Risk Management: http://ctfarmrisk.uconn.edu
- Fruit Program: https://fruit.cahnr.uconn.edu/extension-outreach
University of Maine
- Risk Management: https://extension.umaine.edu/agriculture/crop-insurance/
- Fruit Program: https://extension.umaine.edu/fruit/
University of Massachusetts
- Risk Management: https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/resources/risk-management-crop-insurance
- Fruit Program: https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/fruit
University of New Hampshire
- Fruit Program: https://extension.unh.edu/agriculture-gardens/fruit-vegetable-crops/tree-fruit-crops-orchards
University of Rhode Island
- Vegetable & Fruit Program: https://web.uri.edu/coopext/vegetable-production/
University of Vermont
Federal Resources:
- USDA Risk Management Agency: https://rma.usda.gov/
- USDA Farm Service Agency: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/
Update: 2025 (L. McKeag)