March 16, 1998



INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM:  R&D-98-010

TO: All Reinsured Companies
    All Risk Management Agency Field Offices

FROM:    Tim B. Witt   /s/ TIM B. WITT
    Deputy Administrator
    
SUBJECT: Brambles Pilot Program Participation

BACKGROUND:

The Risk Management Agency (RMA) is researching the feasibility of a
pilot insurance program for brambles.

Bramble fruits refer to blackberries, raspberries, and hybrids (or
genetic combinations) of the two crops grown for their sweet, juicy
berries.  The Economic Research Service (ERS) completed a feasibility
study for brambles and assessed that brambles may be a good candidate
for crop insurance.  According to the ERS Study, U.S. Census of
Agriculture reported 49 States with 4,639 farms harvesting 15,899 acres
of raspberries, and 40 States with 2,619 farms harvesting 6,994 acres of
blackberries.  For States other than California, Oregon, and Washington,
there were 3,522 farms with raspberries and 2,082 with blackberries and
on average, they harvested just over 1 acre each.  A review of National
Agricultural Statistics Service data on brambles indicates that 1997
Census data are not likely to show substantial change from 1992.  A copy
of the feasibility study can be found on the Web at
www.act.fcic.usda.gov/research/index.html.  

ACTION:

Jo Scott, of the Research and Evaluation Division, is the Project
Manager for the brambles pilot program.  If you would like to
participate in the development of a brambles pilot program, please
provide Jo the name, address, and phone number of the person who will
represent you on the brambles team by March 27, 1998.  If you have
questions or wish further information, please contact Jo at the
following address:


    Jo Scott  Phone: (816) 926-6343
    USDA/RMA  Fax:   (816) 926-7343
    Research and Evaluation Division
    P.O. Box 419293
    Kansas City, Missouri 64141