Organic farmers in Iowa are advocating for an extension of the planting deadline to qualify for crop insurance coverage. Currently, both conventional and organic farmers have until the end of May to plant their crops. However, organic farmers in Iowa face specific challenges that require them to plant later. To ensure that their seeds emerge quickly, organic farmers need warmer soil temperatures. Additionally, they have to avoid contamination from nearby conventional farmers.
Noah Wendt, an Iowa crop insurance salesman and owner of A&W Organic Farms, explained that organic farmers use fewer chemicals, which is why they plant their crops two to three weeks later than conventional farmers. This delay increases the chances of missing the crop insurance deadline and being penalized.
Wendt believes that an extension would allow organic producers in Iowa to plant when soil conditions and weather are ideal, rather than when they're under pressure to meet the deadline.
Kelsey Willardson, policy associate at the Center for Rural Affairs, is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency to provide more time for organic farmers in Iowa to plant without losing their insurance coverage.
The Center for Rural Affairs believes that an extension would level the playing field and protect organic producers in Iowa who are taking extra effort to care for and responsibly manage their land. The Risk Management Agency has set the planting deadline based on crop and location. However, an extension could be beneficial for organic farmers in Iowa, who face unique challenges that conventional farmers do not.
Photo Credit: istock-shironosov
Categories: Iowa, Crops