Release No. 0402.00

Mashawn Hall (202) 720-4122
Mashawn_Hall@wdc.usda.gov

USDA TARGETS $25 MILLION TO EDUCATE UNDER-SERVED FARMERS ABOUT CROP INSURANCE

WASHINGTON. DC, Nov. 21, 2000 - Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today announced a new five-year, $25 million initiative to increase risk management education and crop insurance products available to farmers in 15 under-served states.

"This new initiative will help strengthen the farm safety net by educating farmers on the benefits of crop insurance as a tool they can use to help manage risk," said Glickman.

The plan encourages increased crop insurance participation by enhancing risk management education in states with traditionally low levels of federal crop insurance participation. For example, in New Hampshire, about 10 percent of the eligible acres were insured in 1999, while in North Dakota about 90 percent of eligible acres were insured. In keeping with USDA's efforts to support family farms, special emphasis will be to small and limited resource farmers.

USDA will work with local groups around the country - including universities, lenders, insurance providers, and farm lenders - to sponsor seminars, training sessions, and research.

Participating states are Conn., Del., Maine, Md., Mass., Nev., N.H., N.J., N.Y., Pa., R.I., Utah, Vt., W. Va., and Wyo.

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