11/03/05 AGR-Lite and the fruit industry

Northwest fruit growers will again have opportunity to learn about, and consider enrolling for the popular extension of the Adjusted Gross Renevue pilot crop insurance program, A.G.R. Lite, during a video conference set for November Fourth starting at 9:30 in the morning. The conference sponsored by the Western Center for Risk Management Education, U.S.D.A.'s Risk Management Agency, and various partners features panel discussions on various aspects of A.G.R. Lite, and answers questions from participants via phone and e-mail. John Nelson of the Western Center says A.G.R. Lite has proven popular. In its first year in the Northwest, seventy per cent of A.G.R. Lite's nationwide sign-ups for crop year 2005 came from the Northwest. Nelson says the reason is not only awareness of the program, but its design to meet the needs of small to mid-sized growers like those in the fruit industry. NELSON: The fact that a farmer has demonstrated his level of income whether it's the tree fruit industry, or raspberries, or cattle, you get in this all farm and especially in the diversified farms, you can insure up to eighty per cent of your adjusted gross revenue over the last five years at a ninety per cent pay-out. It works well with underlying coverages to cover specific crops. The conference can be viewed at www.westrme.wsu.edu either real time or on delayed view, or through county extension offices.