INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM: R&D-048

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

FROM:     Tim B. Witt
          Director
          Research and Development Division

SUBJECT:  1997 Blueberry Expansion Actuarial Materials


BACKGROUND:

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) received approval to expand the pilot crop
insurance program for blueberries.  The pilot program will be an Actual Production History
(APH) plan of multiple peril crop insurance (MPCI), offered for the 1997 
and 1998 crop years. In addition to the counties included in the initial 
1995 blueberry pilot program, expanded coverage will be offered in the 
following state and counties:

                         MAINE

                         Hancock
                         Washington

The sales closing date for blueberries in Maine is November 20.
 
ACTION:        

The blueberry actuarials for the above counties are available 
electronically via the Reporting Organization (RO) server.  This release 
includes the FCI-35 Coverage and Rate Tables, Special Provisions of 
Insurance, and the crop provisions. 

If you have any questions about this pilot program, please contact Vondie O'Conner at
(816) 926-6343 or by fax at (816) 926-7343.  

Attachments - Will follow with hard copy.