Grape crop insurance options expand in Michigan

Chris Bardenhagen<bardenh1@msu.edu> and Esmaeil Nasrollahiazar<nasroll2@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension - October 29, 2026

Coverage is available for Vinifera, Native and Hybrid varieties in nine counties, while Cass and Kalamazoo have Native and Hybrid coverage only.

green leaves on a vine with green grapes — November 20, 2026, is the sales closing date for the 2027 crop year. Photo credit: Fabrice Büsching, Pexels

The USDA Risk Management Agency has recently expanded coverage of its grape crop insurance program, adding multiple counties in Michigan and Ohio. Beginning with the 2027 crop year, producers can receive variety-specific pricing and optional units rather than the broader type groupings. However, to take advantage of this, producers will need to keep production records for each of the variety types and units used.

Coverage in Michigan for Native, Hybrid and Vinifera varieties is available in:

Allegan
Antrim
Benzie
Berrien
Grand Traverse
Leelanau
Muskegon
Oceana
Van Buren

Coverage for Native and Hybrid varieties is also available in Cass and Kalamazoo counties.

The sales closing date for the 2027 crop year is November 20, 2026. Contact a crop insurance agent for more specific information and to apply for coverage. Growers outside the listed counties can ask an agent whether coverage may be available through a written agreement. Use the crop insurance agent locator to find an agent if you don’t already have one.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

MSU Extension Farm Management