USDA Final Rule Expands Crop Insurance Access for 2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) introduced a series of updates to federal crop insurance that will take effect beginning with the 2026 crop year. The Expanding Access to Risk Protection (EARP) Final Rule aims to modernize long-standing policies, reduce administrative hurdles and broaden insurance options for farmers and ranchers. The changes reflect feedback from producers and apply across multiple crops and coverage areas.

Announcing the rule on December 5, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said the updates are intended to ease regulatory burdens and improve access to the farm safety net. “President Trump is cutting burdensome regulations and strengthening the farm safety net to ensure the future viability of American agriculture,” Rollins said. “With this new rule, we are delivering real, meaningful relief by modernizing the system, expanding access to crop insurance, and making it easier, not harder, for farmers and ranchers to protect their operations and keep doing the work that keeps America fueled and fed.”

Prevented Planting

The rule removes the “insured” requirement from the “1 in 4” provision for prevented planting payments. Producers must still demonstrate the land was planted and harvested — or adjusted due to an insurable cause of loss — within the previous four years.

Production Reporting

Policyholders who change Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) will now be able to submit production reports directly to their new provider, a change intended to reduce paperwork and confusion.

Direct Marketing for Specialty Crops

Beginning with the 2027 crop year, direct-marketed fresh market tomatoes and peppers can be insured under the Dollar Plan. USDA noted that this update aligns with business practices in Northeastern states.

Dispute Resolution

In accordance with Executive Order 14192, the rule removes the “automatic nullification” requirement and shifts fact-finding authority to the courts. USDA says the change reduces administrative burdens for policyholders and AIPs.

Coverage Date Updates

Termination, cancellation and end-of-insurance dates are being removed from federal regulations and added to policy provisions instead, allowing adjustments at the county level.

Updates from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

The Final Rule incorporates provisions from Manager’s Bulletin 25-006 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Among the changes:

• Extends beginning farmer and rancher eligibility from five to ten crop years.
• Adjusts premium subsidy rates to 15% for years one to two, 13% for year three, 11% for year four and 10% for years five to 10.

Revenue Protection Adjustments

Two clarifications were included for revenue protection policies:

• If insufficient data exists to calculate harvest prices using the approved method, harvest prices will match projected prices.
• Policyholders who paid additional premiums under such circumstances will now have access to a reimbursement process.

Crop-Specific Updates

Several crops also received targeted adjustments:

• Fresh Market Tomatoes: End of insurance period extended by one month in Tennessee and South Carolina to improve late-season hurricane coverage beginning in 2027.
• Fresh Market Peppers: New insurance dates introduced to better match northern growing seasons.
• Safflower: Contract change date moved from December 31 to November 30 to align with other spring crops.

The EARP Final Rule became effective November 30, 2025, for all crops with a contract change date on or after that deadline, applying to the 2026 crop year and, where specified, the 2027 crop year. USDA will accept public comments on the updates through January 27, 2026.

Producers seeking additional guidance are encouraged to contact their crop insurance agent or visit the Risk Management Agency (RMA) website. RMA currently administers federal crop insurance and educational programs for more than 130 crops nationwide.