By Jamie Martin
The USDA has announced an expansion of its Controlled Environment crop insurance program, adding 48 counties across 17 states for the 2026 crop year. The program, managed by the Risk Management Agency (RMA), provides financial protection for plants grown in fully enclosed spaces against regulated plant diseases.
To improve support for controlled environment farmers, USDA has raised coverage limits from 75% to 85% and introduced new protections for quarantines, provided certain conditions are met. This move ensures greater risk management for producers investing in controlled agricultural environments.
“Expanding and improving the Controlled Environment program better aligns risk management tools with the needs of producers who grow in controlled environments, encouraging growth, innovation and viability within these sectors,” said RMA Acting Administrator Heather Manzano.
This program offers benefits beyond other federal insurance policies by simplifying the application process, tailoring coverage to controlled environments, and allowing producers to select plant categories that fit their operations. It can be purchased as a standalone policy or combined with the Nursery Value Select (NVS) program.
The insurance is available in multiple states, and sales deadlines vary by region, with dates set for May and September 2025. Producers interested in learning more can visit the USDA’s RMA website or contact local crop insurance agents.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev
Categories: National