The early summer-like weather has been a treat for residents of the Okanagan Valley, but the B.C. provincial government has a reminder for local fruit growers. The Ministry of Agriculture is encouraging Okanagan tree fruit growers to protect their investment with hail insurance offered in conjunction with the provincial and federal governments. With reports that the spring weather has led to flowers blooming a month earlier than normal, the weather can change quickly. “To encourage tree fruit producers to include hail insurance as part of their business risk management plans, the Ministry of Agriculture developed and distributes a guide to tree fruit growers that specifically outlines hail insurance coverage and different options available to them.” The Tree Fruit Hail Coverage protects tree fruit growers from the uncertainty and risk of a hail storm. A sample policy with 80 per cent coverage for an apple crop worth $100,000 would result in $6,744 in producer premiums, with provincial and federal governments contributing a roughly equal amount. In 2014, B.C. growers produced more than 126,000 tonnes of apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums and prunes, nectarines and apricots. There are nearly 6,000 hectares in tree fruit orchards in B.C., with the majority located in the Okanagan Valley.