GOOD NEWS: After Harder Demands USDA Fixes Mistake, Lodi Grape Growers Now Eligible for Critical Crop Insurance Program

Lodi grape growers are now eligible for the Grapevine crop insurance program after being excluded last year; This change is a direct result of Rep. Harder’s efforts

Lodi produces nearly 40% of California's premium wine grapes; Grapes from San Joaquin County produced $393 million in sales in 2023 alone

WASHINGTON – Representative Josh Harder (CA-9) successfully pushed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fix their mistake of leaving San Joaquin County grape growers out of the critical Grapevine crop insurance program last year. Today, Rep. Harder announced this positive news and shared information about how grape growers in the community can apply for this crucial specialty crop insurance. The Grapevine program is a lifeline for grape growers following disasters like fire, flooding, and irrigation failure that can wipe out entire vineyards.

“Lodi produces some of the best wine in the country, and our grape growers are an essential part of our local economy. Last year the USDA made a terrible mistake leaving them off the Grapevine crop insurance program. So, my team and I got to work to fix it,” said Rep. Harder. “I’m thrilled to announce that the USDA has fixed this error and all of our San Joaquin County growers are now eligible for the Grapevine program and have access to this vital crop insurance.”

For more information and to apply for the Grapevine crop insurance program, growers can visit https://www.rma.usda.gov/tools-reports/agent-locator or reach out to the California Regional Risk Management Agency office. The application deadline is November 1st.

Last year, San Joaquin County grape growers were excluded from the Risk Management Agency (RMA)’s Grapevine program, which provides specialty crop insurance to protect producers from disasters. Rep. Harder demanded the USDA include San Joaquin County and the USDA recently announced that they have expanded the Grapevine program to include grape growers in San Joaquin County.

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