Bill > HR1589

This bill, the Small Farm Insurance Act of 2013, amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to enhance the noninsured crop disaster assistance program, which provides support to farmers who cannot obtain traditional crop insurance. Specifically, it directs the Secretary of Agriculture to offer coverage for eligible crops, excluding those with value-loss issues, that is equivalent to either catastrophic risk protection or additional coverage up to 65 percent of the established yield. This expanded coverage aims to provide a safety net similar to what is available under the Federal Crop Insurance Act. Additionally, the bill introduces reduced premiums for limited resource, beginning, and socially disadvantaged producers, making this enhanced assistance more accessible to these groups. The changes are set to take effect starting with the 2014 crop year.