Minnesota Farmers Can Now Sign Up for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2020

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced that farmers can now enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2020 crop year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) safety net programs help provide Minnesota farmers with financial support when crop revenue and commodity prices fall below certain levels. Klobuchar and Smith pushed to reauthorize both programs in the 2018 Farm Bill to safeguard producers from unexpected losses.

“Our farmers are a key part of our agricultural community and agricultural economy, and they need stability,” Klobuchar said. “As the backbone of our economy, farmers throughout Minnesota and across the country deserve our support during periods of uncertainty like we are experiencing now. With the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs, Minnesota farmers can receive the support they need. We encourage all eligible producers to sign up at their local Farm Service Agency office.”

“Farming is a pillar of the Minnesota economy and we need to bring stability and predictability to family farmers during times of uncertainty,” Smith said. “I worked to protect producers from unforeseen loses by fighting for these programs during the 2018 Farm Bill debate. I encourage eligible Minnesotans to take advantage of this opportunity.”

The Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program provides income support payments on historical base acres when actual crop revenue declines below a specified guarantee level. The Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program provides income support payments on historical base acres when the price for a covered commodity falls below its effective reference price. Signup for the 2020 crop year closes June 30, 2020, while signup for the 2019 crop year closes March 15, 2020. Producers who have not yet enrolled for 2019 can enroll for both 2019 and 2020 during the same visit to a Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office. 

For additional questions and assistance, contact your local USDA service center. To locate your local FSA office, visit farmers.gov/service-locator.

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