USDA Expands the Farm Safety Net, Offering Turfgrass Producers First-Ever Insurance Solution

(Washington, D.C., July 1, 2026) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding American producers' access to crop insurance, offering turfgrass producers in select states and counties a new risk management option through a pilot program, Turfgrass Value Select (TVS). The inventory-based plan of insurance was announced today by USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA).

"USDA is expanding the farm safety net and offering American turfgrass producers, whose options have been limited until now, a first-ever opportunity for this type of insurance coverage," said RMA Administrator Pat Swanson. "This program is a win for the turfgrass industry and further demonstrates our deep commitment to putting Farmers First."

The pilot program is available in select counties in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. TVS allows producers to select a dollar amount of coverage for irrigated turfgrass types they choose to insure based on their expected inventory and risk management needs.

For an additional premium, producers who purchase TVS can choose to add on the Occurrence Loss Option for shallow loss coverage or, alternatively, Hurricane Insurance Protection - Wind Index coverage in counties where the program is available.  

Interested producers should contact a crop insurance agent to enroll. The initial sales closing date for Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas is Sept. 1, 2026. For producers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, the initial sales closing date is May 1, 2027. Producers in eligible areas can purchase pro-rated coverage for the remainder of the crop year at any time after the initial sales closing date.

More Information

RMA secures the future of agriculture by providing world class risk management tools to rural America through Federal crop insurance and risk management education programs. RMA provides policies for more than 130 crops and is constantly working to adjust and create new policies based on producer needs and feedback.

Contact a crop insurance agent to see how Federal crop insurance can meet the specific needs of your operation. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available online at the RMA Agent Locator. Producers can learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at rma.usda.gov or by contacting their RMA Regional Office. RMA's Basics for Beginners provides information for those new to crop insurance.  

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