The coverage is being offered to farmers who would not otherwise have been eligible for coverage from a disaster fund created by the 2008 farm bill because they did not have coverage by crop insurance.
The federal bailout is estimated to cost up to $800 million, according to a report.
The USDA said farmers must pay a buy-in fee of $100 per crop, up to $300 a county and with a maximum $900 for farmers who operate in more than one county.
Farmers must agree to buy crop insurance or, for crops not covered by insurance, to join USDA's Non-insured Assistance Program in order to be eligible for the assistance.
Farmers who pay the buy-in fees will be treated as if they had a crop insurance policy covering 70 percent of their normal yield at the average price for the crop.
Non-insured crops will be treated as if they have coverage equal to 70 percent of yield, according to USDA.
