A new whole-farm insurance program will be available in Minnesota in 2007. It will protect farm families against loss of revenue due to natural disasters and market fluctuations. The program is called Adjusted Gross Revenue-Lite (AGR-Lite).

Most farm-raised crops, animals and animal products are eligible for protection. This includes many commodities not currently insurable under existing products. New commodities covered include livestock such as cattle and dairy as well as livestock products such as wool, honey and eggs. Grains, non-grains, fruits, vegetables and greenhouse production are also included.

As part of the coverage, all organic production can be included without an additional premium cost. AGR-Lite is based on the five-year average farm revenue as reported to the IRS. This minimizes the number of additional records you must keep. Producers, ag-consultants, and bankers may want to consider AGR-Lite if producers or clients grow otherwise uninsurable crops, produce organic crops and livestock, want umbrella protection over selected individual crop and livestock coverages, and wish to protect the bottom line of your operation from severe economic loss.