The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced major updates to federal crop insurance on December 5, 2025. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said the changes will reduce red tape for farmers, modernize long-standing policies, and expand access to risk protection starting with the 2026 crop year. USDA is implementing these updates through the Expanding Access to Risk Protection (EARP) Final Rule, which streamlines requirements across multiple crops, responds to producer feedback, and reinforces the department’s stated focus on supporting farmers and ranchers.
Secretary Rollins said the rule aligns with the Trump Administration’s approach to deregulation and aims to deliver relief by modernizing the crop insurance system. She added that USDA intends to make it easier for farmers and ranchers to protect their operations.
Reducing Regulatory Burdens
USDA outlined several policy changes intended to simplify compliance and administration.
Improving Land Access Through Prevented Planting Relief
USDA removed the “insured” requirement from the “1 in 4” rule for prevented planting payments. However, producers must still show that the land was planted and harvested, or adjusted for an insurable cause of loss, in one of the previous four years.
Streamlining Production Reporting
Policyholders who switch Approved Insurance Providers can now submit production reports directly to their new provider. USDA said this will reduce confusion and paperwork.
Expanding Direct Marketing Options
Beginning with the 2027 crop year, USDA will allow insurance under the Dollar Plan for direct-marketed fresh market tomatoes and peppers. The department said this change reflects specialty crop business practices in Northeastern states.
Simplifying Dispute Resolution
In line with Executive Order 14192, Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation, USDA removed the “automatic nullification” rule and shifted fact-finding authority to the courts. The department stated that this reduces administrative burdens on policyholders and Approved Insurance Providers.
Deregulating Coverage Dates
USDA removed termination, cancellation, and end-of-insurance dates from federal regulations and placed them in policy provisions. The department said this change allows more flexible, county-level updates.
Additional Policy Updates
USDA also highlighted several updates tied to legislation, revenue protection, and crop-specific adjustments.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act Implementation
USDA incorporated provisions from Manager’s Bulletin 25-006.
• The department extended beginning farmer and rancher eligibility from 5 to 10 crop years.
• USDA updated additional premium subsidy rates to 15 percent for years 1 and 2, 13 percent for year 3, 11 percent for year 4, and 10 percent for years 5 through 10.
Revenue Protection Clarifications
USDA stated that harvest prices will equal projected prices when insufficient data prevents use of the approved methodology. In addition, the rule creates a reimbursement process for policyholders who paid additional revenue protection premiums in those cases.
Crop-Specific Improvements
• Fresh market tomatoes: USDA extended the end of the insurance period by one month in Tennessee and South Carolina to better cover late-season hurricanes. This change applies beginning with the 2027 crop year.
• Fresh market peppers: USDA added insurance dates that align with northern growing seasons to support Dollar Plan expansion into Northeastern states.
• Safflower: USDA moved the contract change date from December 31 to November 30. The department said this aligns safflower with other spring crops and simplifies enrollment.
Effective Dates and Public Comment
USDA said the EARP Final Rule became effective on November 30, 2025. The rule applies to crops with a contract change date on or after that date for the 2026 crop year. It also applies to the 2027 crop year, where specified. USDA will accept public comments on the rule until January 27, 2026.
Guidance for Producers and Industry Context
USDA advised producers to contact their local crop insurance agent or visit the Risk Management Agency website for guidance on how the updates may affect coverage options. The department also noted that RMA provides federal crop insurance and education programs, offers coverage for more than 130 crops, and updates policies based on producer feedback.
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