FSA announces closing date for NAP applications

Producers in need of insurance coverage for Spring and Fall annually planted crops under the Noninsured Crop Assistance Program (NAP) have until January 31, 2008 to apply for certain crops for which the catastrophic level of insurance is not available, said Susan D. Holmes, State Executive Director for the Georgia Farm Service Agency (FSA).

"Crop insurance is an important risk management tool for farmers," said Holmes, "but it's not available for all crops. That's why NAP is so important."

NAP is a federally funded program that provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurance crops when low yields, loss of inventory or prevented planting occurs because of natural disasters.

"Producers must apply for coverage before disaster strikes," said Holmes.

The 2008 NAP applications for coverage on annually planted crops must be filed, and service fees paid, by January 31, 2008, the application closing date. For additional information, please contact your local FSA Office for specific crop application sales closing dates.

"Like regular crop insurance, once an application period closes, the opportunity to obtain coverage is gone," said Holmes.

NAP coverage requires a service fee of $100 per crop, par producer with a $300 cap per county. Out-ofpocket expenses will not exceed $900 for any producer, even if production occurs in more than three counties. Service fees may be waived for eligible limited resource producers.

Crops eligible for NAP coverage are those for which crop insurance is not available, and include fruits and vegetables, aquaculture, pecans, turfgrass and forage crops. Application closing dates vary by crop, and producers should contact their local Farm Service Agency county office for details.

More information on NAP and additional disaster assistance programs is available online at www.fsa.usda. gov.