Top US Farm Facts
Number of farms in the US: 2.02 million
Average farm size: 444 acres
Provides 965,000 jobs
| City | Average Crop Value per farm in County | Top Two Weather Risks |
| Jackson | $70,106 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Gulfport | $10,417 | Hurricanes and Floods |
| Oxford | $19,904 | Tornados and Severe Storms |
| Columbus | $104,277 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Southaven | $115,385 | Floods and Severe Storms |
| Hattiesburg | $58,074 | Hurricanes and Floods |
| Biloxi | $10,417 | Hurricanes and Floods |
| Meridian | $14,453 | Tonados and Floods |
| Tupelo | $85,765 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Leland | $955,762 | Severe Storms and Floods |
| Olive Branch | $115,385 | Floods and Severe Storms |
| Horn Lake | $115,385 | Floods and Severe Storms |
| Clinton | $70,106 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Pearl | $165,989 | Floods and Severe Storms |
| Pass Christian | $10,417 | Hurricanes and Floods |
| Long Beach | $10,417 | Hurricanes and Floods |
| Fulton | $39,623 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| New Albany | $24,785 | Tornados and Severe Storms |
| Flowood | $165,989 | Floods and Severe Storms |
| Pascagoula | $35,164 | Hurricanes and Floods |
| Brandon | $165,989 | Floods and Severe Storms |
| Kosciusko | $50,686 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Gautier | $35,164 | Hurricanes and Floods |
| Laurel | $234,062 | Hurricanes and Floods |
| Clarksdale | $657,798 | Floods and Severe Storms |
| Ocean Springs | $35,164 | Hurricanes and Floods |
| Natchez | $52,226 | Floods and Hurricanes |
| Greenwood | $806,193 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Forest | $378,269 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Cornith | $52,226 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Hernando | $115,385 | Floods and Severe Storms |
| Moss Point | $35,164 | Hurricanes and Floods |
| Canton | $48,599 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Grenada | $36,776 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| McComb | $140,021 | Tornados and Floods |
| Brookhaven | $117,404 | Tornados and Floods |
| Cleveland | $661,121 | Floods and Severe Storms |
| Byram | $70,106 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Yazoo City | $225,109 | Floods and Tornados |
| West Point | $219,654 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Indianola | $782,282 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Bay St. Louis | $10,988 | Hurricanes and Floods |
| Booneville | $30,835 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Senatobia | $78,024 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Amory | $76,070 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Aberdeen | $76,070 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Madison | $48,599 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Ridgeland | $48,599 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Starkville | $37,673 | Severe Storms and Tornados |
| Vicksburg | $128,722 | Floods and Severe Storms |
Popular Questions About Mississippi Crop Insurance
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) is managed by the Risk Management Agency (RMA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Crop insurance has been supported and regulated by the federal government since 1938. Since then it has undergone a number of changes and improvements.
In 1994, crop insurance became mandatory for agricultural land owners, but this mandate was repealed in 1996. However, farmers who do not have crop insurance are not eligible for other federal disaster benefits, so this coverage is highly recommended.
Since 2000, private insurance companies have been permitted to offer crop insurance products. These companies must contract through the RMA. Local independent insurance agents can help you review your coverage options so you can compare quotes and policies that are available to you.
There are more than 35,000 farms covering 10.7 million acres of land in the state of Mississippi. The combined market value of the agricultural products sold in this state exceeds $6 billion.
Unfortunately, all this valuable farmland is subject to forces of nature outside your control. If a tornado destroys your crops or if an extended drought causes large financial losses, crop insurance can help your farm to stay financially solvent.
There are three different types of coverage offered by crop insurance: crop-hail coverage, multiple peril crop coverage, and crop revenue coverage. You may elect to purchase any or all of these coverage types.
Crop-Hail Insurance
Crop-hail insurance is not part of the Federal Crop Insurance Program, so it must be purchased through a private insurer. This can prove to be a very valuable coverage option for farmers who live in areas that frequently experience hailstorms. This coverage typically comes with a very low deductible because hail has the potential to destroy crops in one part of your farm while leaving other parts unscathed.
Crop-hail insurance can be purchased at any point in the growing season.
Multiple Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI)
Most farmers who opt for crop insurance purchase MPCI. This insurance is part of the Federal Crop Insurance Program and is therefore government regulated. It is designed to cover crop losses related to natural events including:
- Destructive weather
- Disease
- Drought
- Fire
- Flooding
- Insect Damage
MPCI is available for more than 100 different types of crops, but some crops are only covered in certain geographical areas. An independent insurance agent can help you review your agricultural products to determine whether you are able to get MPCI coverage for them.
MPCI must be purchased each growing season before your crops are planted.
Crop Revenue Insurance
Some years your farm may not produce as much as others. Crop revenue insurance can provide compensation in years that you have a low yield or when the market price of your crop is significantly lower than usual. This coverage was strengthened by the 2014 Farm Bill.
A local independent insurance agent can help you review your various options so that you can get the coverage that is right for your farm.
The cost of crop insurance in Mississippi is dependent on several different factors including the size of your farm, the types of crops you are insuring, the inherent weather risks in your area, and the types of coverage you wish to buy.
An experienced independent insurance agent can help you purchase Mississippi crop insurance. Independent agents can help you evaluate your coverage needs and options, and can find an insurance company that can meet your needs and budget.
There are currently 208 independent agents in Mississippi. Find an agent near you to learn more about finding the right crop insurance.
Mississippi Farm Facts
- Average farm size in Mississippi: 287 acres
- Average crop value per farm in Mississippi: $169,162
- Jackson, MS
- Crop Insurance Cost Factors
- Local Crop Values
- Jackson is located in Mississippi’s Hinds County. On average, farms in this city grow crops with a market value of $70,106 each year. The actual size and value of the crops on your farm will dictate how much you are expected to pay for crop insurance coverage.
- Weather Hazards in Your City
- Farmers in Jackson are most at risk for seeing their farms destroyed by severe storms and tornados. The heavy rains and strong winds associated with these events are more damaging to some types of crops than others. That is why what you grow is just as important as how much you grow when calculating your coverage rates.
- Gulfport, MS
- Crop Insurance Cost Factors
- Local Crop Values
- Gulfport is located along the Gulf of Mexico in Harrison County. The average farm size in Harrison County is 73 acres, with an average annual crop value of $10,417. Individual farmers will pay varying prices for crop insurance, depending on the size of the farm, type of crops, and weather risks in their city. Some farms may need different types of coverage than others, which also has an impact on the cost.
- Weather Hazards in Your City
- Gulfport is subject to extreme weather, including hurricanes, tropical storms, and floods. Farmers in this area must take these risks into account when deciding what kind of crop insurance coverage they need. They may also have higher premiums than average because of the potential for crop devastation from these types of weather events.
- Oxford, MS
- Crop Insurance Cost Factors
- Local Crop Values
- Oxford is located in Lafayette County. Farms here average 242 acres and an average crop value of $19,904. The cost of crop insurance for your farm and the type of coverage you need is highly dependent on the size of your farm and the type of crops you have. The weather risks in your area also play a huge role in what you pay for Mississippi crop insurance for your Oxford farm.
- Weather Hazards in Your City
- Oxford farmers must be prepared to ride out tornadoes and severe storms that can be devastating to their crops. If you plant crops that are more susceptible to wind and rain damage, you need to the right type of crop insurance coverage to make sure you can recover from a major weather event.
- Columbus, MS
- Crop Insurance Cost Factors
- Local Crop Values
- The average farm size in Lowndes County, MS is 289 acres. Farms in Columbus have an average crop value of $104,277. While the value of your crops is important to your overall cost of crop insurance coverage, the types of crops you grow and their sensitivity to weather damage are also very important.
- Weather Hazards in Your City
- If your crops are more likely to be damaged by the frequent severe storms and tornadoes in Columbus, you can expect to pay more for your Mississippi crop insurance. An independent agent can help you determine the type of coverage you need to protect against weather damage and other perils that you face.
- Southaven, MS
- Crop Insurance Cost Factors
- Local Crop Values
- Southaven is a suburb of Memphis, TN located in DeSoto County. Farms in this county are around 274 acres, on average, with $115,385 in average annual crop value. The actual size and value of the crops on your farm will determine how much you can expect to pay for Mississippi crop insurance.
- Weather Hazards in Your City
- Southaven experiences frequent severe storms and even flooding. Farmers in this area need to be prepared to experience occasional crop losses after a weather event, with crop insurance being their first line of defense. If your crops are more susceptible to weather damage than others, you might have to pay more for your coverage.
- Hattiesburg, MS
- Crop Insurance Cost Factors
- Local Crop Values
- The average crop value for farms in Hattiesburg is $58,074. In Forrest County, the average farm size is 119 acres. Hattiesburg farm owners have a lot to consider when purchasing Mississippi crop insurance. The type of crops you grow and the value of your crops will dictate how much you pay for coverage, as well as the type of coverage you need to protect your farm business.
- Weather Hazards in Your City
- Hattiesburg has short, mild winters and hot, humid summers. Severe storms with heavy rainfall, hail, and flooding can threaten your crops. The area also experiences tornadoes and even hurricanes. With all of these weather hazards to contend with, your crops can be devastated. An independent insurance agent can help you assess your risks and find the coverage that offers the best protection.
- Biloxi, MS
- Crop Insurance Cost Factors
- Local Crop Values
- Biloxi is located in Mississippi’s Harrison County. On average, farms in Harrison County are around 73 acres and grow crops with an annual market value of $10,417. The actual size and value of the crops on your farm determine how much you will pay for Mississippi crop insurance.
- Weather Hazards in Your City
- Farmers in Biloxi are at risk for crop damage from severe storms, hurricanes, and floods. Heavy rains and strong winds can be more destructive to some types of crops than others. If your crops are more sensitive to weather damage, you may pay more than others for your Mississippi crop insurance.
- Meridian, MS
- Crop Insurance Cost Factors
- Local Crop Values
- Meridian is located in the North Central Hills region of Lauderdale County, MS. Farms in this area average around 185 acres and have an average annual crop value of $14,453. The cost of crop insurance for your farm and the type of coverage you need depends on the size of your farm and the type of crops you have. The weather risks in your area also impact the cost of Mississippi crop insurance in Meridian.
- Weather Hazards in Your City
- Farmers in Meridian may experience tornadoes and severe storms that can destroy their crops. Crops that are more susceptible to wind and rain damage need the right type of crop insurance coverage to make sure you can recover after a severe storm.
- Tupelo, MS
- Crop Insurance Cost Factors
- Local Crop Values
- Tupelo is located in Lee County, MS. Farms in this area average around 253 acres, with an average annual crop value of $85,765. The actual size of your farm and the value of your crops are the most important factors in how much you can expect to pay for Mississippi crop insurance.
- Weather Hazards in Your City
- Severe storms and tornadoes are common in Tupelo. If you have a farm in this area, you must be prepared to experience occasional crop losses due to these kinds of events. Your Mississippi crop insurance should be your first line of defense. But remember, if your crops are more susceptible to weather damage than others, you might have to pay more for your coverage.
- Leland, MS
- Crop Insurance Cost Factors
- Local Crop Values
- The average farm size in Washington County, MS is 1,206 acres. Farms in Leland have an average annual crop value of $955,762. The value of your crops and the size of your farm are important factors in calculating your cost for crop insurance. In addition, you might pay more for coverage if your crops are more susceptible to the types of weather risks in your location.
- Weather Hazards in Your City
- If your crops are more likely to be damaged by the frequent severe storms and flooding in Leland, you might pay more for your Mississippi crop insurance. An independent agent can help you determine the type of coverage you need to protect against weather damage and other perils that you face.