INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM:  R&D-96-005

TO:       All Reinsured Companies
          FSA Headquarters, Program Delivery and Field Operations
          All Risk Management Field Offices

FROM:     Tim B. Witt
          Director
          Research and Development Division

SUBJECT:  Nursery: Multiple Species Grown Together in a Common Container

ISSUE:

The insurability of nursery stock where more than one plant species is grown 
in the same container.

BACKGROUND:

A general nursery production practice exists where several different plant 
species are grown in the same container (multispecies container).  
Multispecies containers are grown and marketed in a manner consistent with 
single species containers.  A determination of the insurability of 
multispecies containers has been requested.

ACTION:

Multispecies containers are insurable if:

     1)  all plant species grown in the multispecies container:

         a) are listed on the nursery eligible plant listing; and

         b) meet winter protection requirements applicable for each 
            individual plant species included in the container.  Premium 
            determinations are based on the territory and risk group 
            applicable to the multispecies container;

     2)  the container qualifies as a "standard nursery container;"

     3)  the multispecies container:

         a) is listed on the grower's nursery crop wholesale price listing 
            and included on the nursery inventory report; and

         b) otherwise meets the terms and conditions of insurability 
            provided in the MPCI contractual documents.