What defines native sod in the context of crop insurance?

In the context of crop insurance, native sod is defined as land that has never been tilled. This designation is significant because it impacts the eligibility for certain insurance programs and the types of coverage available. Native sod typically includes grasslands or prairies that have not been cultivated for agricultural production. This type of land may have unique ecological characteristics that are important for biodiversity, soil health, and carbon sequestration.

Insurance policies are often structured to encourage the conservation of native sod to protect these important ecosystems. Land that has been tilled, even once, changes the soil structure and can diminish some of its ecological benefits, which is why simply being tilled once or not allowing certain types of crops does not qualify land as native sod. Additionally, the requirement for irrigation does not pertain to the definition of native sod, as such areas can exist in both irrigated and non-irrigated contexts.