The "Save Our Small Farms Act of 2025" amends the noninsured crop assistance program to better support small farmers by expanding market access, streamlining the application process, increasing compensation for crop losses, and offering premium discounts to encourage the transition to whole farm revenue insurance.
Richard Blumenthal
Senator
CT
The "Save Our Small Farms Act of 2025" amends the noninsured crop assistance program to better support small farmers by expanding market access, streamlining the application process, and offering premium discounts to encourage the transition to whole farm revenue insurance. It also increases compensation for crop losses, raises payment limitations for certain farmers, and promotes program awareness through outreach and partnerships. This act aims to provide more accessible and comprehensive support to small-scale and diverse farming operations.
Save Our Small Farms Act Proposes Overhaul of Crop Assistance: Streamlined Applications, 100% Loss Compensation, and Boost for Underserved Farmers
The Save Our Small Farms Act of 2025 aims to give the Noninsured Crop Assistance Program (NAP) a significant update. Think of NAP as a safety net for farmers growing crops not typically covered by traditional crop insurance – often the kinds you find at local markets. This bill intends to make that safety net stronger and easier to access, particularly for smaller, diverse farms, including those selling directly to consumers.
Cutting Through the Paperwork
One of the big changes here is simplifying how farmers apply for and manage NAP coverage. The bill mandates a streamlined application process, recognizing that folks running diverse operations or selling at farmers' markets don't fit neatly into old reporting structures. Key changes include reducing reporting requirements and allowing just two reports per year. For farmers dealing with losses, especially for crops that spoil quickly like hand-harvested produce, the bill allows loss evidence submission anytime after 120 hours post-loss. It also opens the door for remote appraisals using photos or drones, or appraisals by trained agency staff, aiming to speed things up when a loss adjuster can't get there within 72 hours.
Bridging to Broader Coverage
The Act introduces a 'streamlined revenue-based option' designed to act as a stepping stone for farmers wanting to move towards the more comprehensive Whole Farm Revenue Protection insurance plan. To encourage this shift, it offers significant premium discounts for NAP coverage: 25% off in year one if the farmer certifies they'll switch to Whole Farm within three years, and 50% off in years two and three if they commit to switching sooner. To make proving income history easier, the bill requires the USDA to accept IRS Tax Form Schedule F and share that history with the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation.
Strengthening the Safety Net
When disaster strikes, this bill significantly increases the payout. Compensation for covered crop losses jumps from the current 65% to 100% of the average market price. It also raises the payment cap significantly – up to $600,000 – specifically for farmers classified as limited resource, beginning, socially disadvantaged, or veterans, as well as those using the new revenue-based transition option. Furthermore, these same groups get a break on premiums, paying only 25% of the standard rate for NAP coverage. To ensure farmers know about these changes, the USDA is directed to actively promote the program through outreach partners, extension offices, and state agriculture departments, focusing on reaching those underserved groups.