Project Overview
NYSHS launched an education campaign across upstate NY during 2007 to encourage much more grower involvement in the crop insurance program. The organization facilitated ongoing publicity in the agricultural media and in the association newsletters to raise awareness of the need for proper coverage and the mechanics of being involved in the crop insurance program. NYSHS offered eighteen regional workshops working with Cornell Cooperative Extension and insurance carriers in the six fruit producing areas of New York State. In addition the organization had a rapid response team (including extension agents and insurance reps) that visited any crop damaged areas and will facilitate insurance claims. The Society created informational material that was sent to growers throughout the growing season alerting each producer to the scheduled workshops in their area and to the need to assess their latest crop risk exposure. The informational material expressed the need to create new farm maps reflecting orchard removal and new orchard sites. The final aspect of the informational material as the harvest occurs showed the necessity of accurately recording the new harvest data for future usage.
By holding regional meetings several times across New York State we were successful in not only increasing the number of farms that took up crop insurance but helped those that had programs revise them to better suit their individual needs. No two operations are alike. We were successful in getting the growers to address with their agents a plan that was unique to their operation. Before we held these programs too many operations were content to take a “cookie cutter” template that did not offer them the best protection.
In 2008 we have already suffered extensive crop damage across the state due to hail storms. The farms that attended our workshops and restructured their contracts are being covered in a more advantageous manner than those who did not. It is still alarming how many farms will receive zero protection as they failed to enroll in any crop insurance program. We have been successful in increasing those who have today a sound program but unfortunately too many remain unprotected.
It is very important to continue reaching out to the farms to help them comprehend the alterations in risk management programs as changes occur on the national level. Growers have an apparent mistrust of outside insurance agents it appears and did appreciate having the NYS Horticultural Society act as an informal clearing house for them. Crop insurance is here to stay the challenge will be to educate those it is designed to protest to enroll.
Number of Participants: 300
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
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EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
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REPORTS & EVALUATIONS
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