USDA Expands Access to Risk Protection: What the 2026 Final Rule Means for Crop Insurance

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) has announced sweeping changes to federal crop insurance policies, effective for the 2026 and succeeding crop years. These updates, known as the Expanding Access to Risk Protection (EARP) Final Rule, are designed to modernize the farm safety net, reduce regulatory burdens, and expand coverage options for producers across the country.

Key Highlights of the EARP Final Rule

1. Enhanced Support for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
   • The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is now incorporated into federal regulations, extending the eligibility for beginning farmer and rancher benefits from 5 to 10 crop years.
   • Premium subsidy rates for these producers are increased: 15% for the first two years, 13% for the third year, 11% for the fourth year, and 10% for years five through ten.
2. Improved Land Access Through Prevented Planting Relief
   • The “insured” requirement has been removed from the “1 in 4” rule for prevented planting payments. Producers must still show the land was planted and harvested (or adjusted for an insurable cause of loss) in one of the previous four years, but this change significantly reduces paperwork and administrative burden.
3. Streamlined Production Reporting
   • Policyholders transferring to a new Approved Insurance Provider (AIP) can now submit their production report directly to the new provider, eliminating confusion and reducing paperwork.
4. Expanded Direct Marketing Options
   • Insurance is now available for direct marketing of fresh market tomatoes and peppers under the Dollar Plan, reflecting the business practices of specialty crop growers in the Northeast.
5. Simplified Dispute Resolution
   • The “automatic nullification” rule has been eliminated, shifting fact-finding authority to the courts and reducing administrative burdens for all parties.
6. Deregulated Coverage Dates
   • Termination, cancellation and end-of-insurance dates have been removed from federal regulations and deferred to the Special Provisions, allowing for more responsive, county-level program administration.
7. Revenue Protection Clarifications
   • If harvest price data is unavailable, harvest prices will be set equal to projected prices, effectively converting revenue coverage to yield protection in rare cases. A reimbursement process has been created for policyholders who paid additional premiums for revenue protection when data is unavailable.
8. Removal of Buy-Up Coverage on Prevented Planting
   • The option to purchase buy-up coverage for prevented planting has been eliminated, a change that will impact producers in regions with frequent planting delays.

What’s Next?

The EARP Final Rule is effective for the 2026 crop year for crops with a contract change date on or after November 30, 2025, and for the 2027 crop year for crops with an earlier contract change date. FCIC is accepting public comments on the rule through January 27, 2026, at https://www.regulations.gov.

Producers are encouraged to review the updated Basic Provisions, Area Risk Protection Insurance, and Common Crop Insurance Policy documents available on the RMA website. For more information or to discuss how these changes may affect your operation, contact your crop insurance agent.

Crop Growers from Farm Credit East is committed to keeping our customers informed and prepared for these important changes. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the new rules take effect.

Connect with your Crop Growers agent today to learn more about risk management solutions tailored for your farm.

Contact Crop Growers

Crop Growers is an equal opportunity provider.