As we’ve unfortunately seen firsthand, unseasonably deep freezes can devastate specialty crops in one night. Citrus, fruits, vegetables, and nursery products that take years of care can be lost in hours. That’s why my office is hosting a Farmers Freeze Recovery Meeting on March 13 to provide information and guidance to anyone dealing with these impacts. If you’re affected, please register here.

I also cosponsored the Temperature Event Mitigation Policy (TEMP) Act today to support our farmers, growers, agricultural business owners, and greenhouse operators who have been hit hard by recent freezing temperatures. 

Unfortunately, many growers lack insurance that’s both affordable and sufficiently covers crop devastation. This bill works to remedy that by directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency to establish a temperature-based insurance covering losses caused by cold exposure. Simply put, the bill gives crop producers a practical, affordable risk-management tool based on the actual impacts of freezing temperatures. 

For many across our communities, crops support livelihoods and drive businesses. When our growers suffer, all of us pay the price. Empowering these hardworking men and women to rebuild and thrive is why I’m signing on to this important bill.