Western Growers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency announced June 8 that they will host two meetings to discuss changes to the Strawberry Crop Insurance Program.

The program has provided federally subsidized insurance for strawberry growers since it was created in 2012. It protects growers in Santa Barbara, Ventura and several other counties from losses of revenue due to low yields or prices.

The RMA announced changes to the program in June 2015 to provide for a longer insurance period in some counties, a new set-up, additional insurable practices and a master yield method for growers to insure yields from multiple fields. Santa Barbara growers were also enabled to insure strawberries planted in the summer and the period of inclusion has been extended from July 1 through July 31 for Ventura County.

Growers can contribute to the discussion at the informational meetings about potential extensions and changes to the policy and how it can be accessed.

The 8 a.m. June 13 meeting will be held at the Courtyard by Marriot in Oxnard and the 9 a.m. June 14 meeting will be held at the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office in Santa Maria.

• Contact Marissa Nall at mnall@pacbiztimes.com.