The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency will conduct listening sessions in cherry growing regions to get feedback on how well its pilot insurance program for sweet cherries has worked, and how it could be improved. The feedback will help the agency decide whether the Actual Revenue History Crop Insurance Program should become permanent and expanded to other areas, continued as a pilot program, or terminated.

The agency has contracted with Agralytica of Alexandria, Virginia, to conduct listening sessions in Washington, Oregon, California, and Michigan.
Listening sessions are scheduled as follows:

—February 7 at the University of California Cooperative Extension in Tulare, California, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for growers and from 1:30 to 3 p.m. for insurance company staff and loss adjusters.

—February 9 at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, The Dalles, Oregon, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for insurance company staff and loss adjusters, and from 2 to 5 p.m. for growers.

—February 10 at the W. L. Hansen Building in Yakima, Washington, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for insurers and loss adjusters, and from 2 to 5 p.m. for growers.

—February 17 at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center in Traverse City, Michigan, from 9  to 11:30 a.m. for growers, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. for insurers, insurance agents, and loss adjusters.

Agralytica staff can also meet with growers or insurers individually. To arrange a time, e-mail Nick Young or call (703) 981-6002.