San Saba, Texas - Feb. 20, 2009 - Trey Stoneham, Acting Executive Director of USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) in San Saba County reminds agricultural producers of the need for insurance coverage for crops in order to be eligible for the agency's Disaster Assistance Programs. Application closing dates for coverage in San Saba County are: Cantaloupes 3/15/2009; Peas 3/15/2009; Sesame 3/15/2009; Sorghum Forage (Sudan) 3/15/2009; Watermelon 3/15/2009.

Producers must purchase at least catastrophic (CAT) level of insurance for all insurable crops and/or FSA's Noninsured Crop Assistance Program (NAP) coverage for non-insurable crops to be eligible for the USDA Farm Service Agency Disaster Assistance Programs.

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

NAP is a federally funded program that provides coverage to producers for non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory or prevented planting occurs due to natural disasters.

Crops eligible for NAP coverage are those for which crop insurance is not available, including but not limited to fruits and vegetables, aquaculture, pecans, turf grass and forage crops. However, crops that FCIC deems as ineligible due to practice or yield are not covered by NAP.

"Producers must apply for coverage before a disaster strikes," said Stoneham "Like regular crop insurance, once an application period closes, the opportunity to obtain coverage is gone."

NAP applications for coverage must be filed using Form CCC-471 and service fees must be paid by the sales closing date. Application sales closing dates vary by crop.

For county and crop-specific information, please contact the San Saba County FSA office at (325) 372-3091 ext. 2.