WASHINGTON, D.C. – Farm owners and producers now have an opportunity to choose between two risk and loss coverage options under the new 2014 Farm Bill-established programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage began Monday and will continue through March 31. The new programs, designed to help producers better manage risk, usher in one of the most significant reforms to U.S. farm programs in decades.

“USDA is committed to keeping farm owners and producers well informed on all steps in this process to ensure that they have all of the information that they need before making their coverage choice,” said Farm Service Agency Administrator Val Dolcini. “The new ARC and PLC programs provide a more rational approach to helping farmers manage risk by ensuring families don’t lose the farm because of events beyond their control.”

USDA helped create online tools to assist in the decision process, allowing farm owners and producers to enter information about their operation and see projections that show what ARC and/or PLC will mean for them under possible future scenarios.

For more information, go to www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc.

For information about upcoming local educational meetings, farmers can contact their local Farm Service Agency county office at go.usa.gov/pYV3.