USDA to Enhance Crop Insurance for Michigan Blueberry Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is enhancing Federal crop insurance for blueberry producers in Michigan beginning in the 2025 crop year. This change will enable producers to receive different pricing and optional units for three seasonal types of blueberries – early, mid, and late Highbush – rather than just the single all-type grouping of Highbush that is currently available.

“We’re committed to ensuring that our programs and products offer the coverage producers need to adequately cover their risk,” said Brian Frieden, USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) Springfield Regional Office Director. “This improvement will allow Michigan blueberry producers to manage their risk with pricing that more accurately reflects the price received for their specific type of blueberries. We look forward to discussing the new optional units that will be available and the reporting and supporting record requirements with the producers.”

These new options have been developed in direct response to feedback RMA received from the Michigan Blueberry Advisory Committee. RMA‘s Springfield Regional Office worked with the Committee to develop and host an informational session that will offer producers the opportunity to learn more about the new options and production reporting requirements.