Technical Assistance Talks in the Motor City
June 4, 2024

On May 21-22, the Risk Management Agency attended the American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment (ARPTAI) meeting in Detroit. The event aims to improve understanding and equitable participation in the full range of USDA programs and services among underserved farmers and ranchers.

SRMEC Director Dr. Ron Rainey, RMED Outreach Specialist Kameka Gray, RMA Ambassador Dr. Cindy Ayers-Elliott, RMED Director Michael Heiserman, and SRMEC Navigator LaGrand Elliott attend the 2024 ARPTAI Cooperator Meeting in Detroit, MI

“We were able to connect with growers from all over the country and received constructive feedback on steps RMA can take to improve access to crop insurance programs for small to mid-sized farms,” Outreach Specialist, Kameka Gray, told me.

Kameka and Michael Heiserman from the Risk Management Education Division gave presentations on RMA’s partnerships and Customer Experience Survey, among other items, to share successes we have had.“I was impressed to see USDA collaborating with diverse farming networks throughout our country to help improve equity and access for all,” said Dr. Cindy Ayers-Elliott, who serves as RMA’s Ambassador under a new pilot program, spearheading outreach activities.

More than 100 people attended the event in Detroit, with representatives from USDA agencies, as well as grower groups from Hawaii, the Rural Coalition, and the Black Farmers Collective to name a few.

“Investing in these partners and cooperators plants seeds for a stronger harvest for communities of farmers,” Cindy adds.

Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small
and RMA Outreach Specialist Kameka Gray

Attendees also learned about our new Crop Insurance Navigator Project, which helps educate underserved farmers with a team of subject matter experts that travel to events and meet with producers one-on-one to advise on risk management practices.

“It was refreshing to see cooperators from all over the country coming together for one common goal: To advocate on behalf of the historically underserved producers and ranchers,” said RMA Navigator LaGrand Elliott.

In the past, many USDA programs and services were designed to benefit those with land, experience, money, and education while leaving behind those without means and resources. I am proud of the work RMA outreach specialists are doing to Reduce barriers and improve support to underserved farmers and ranchers.

– Marcia

Marcia Bunger is the Administrator of USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). Prior to her appointment, she served as a County Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency. A native South Dakotan, Bunger is also the owner and operator of a 2000-acre farm, a cum laude graduate of Augustana College, and the first member of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and first woman to serve as RMA Administrator.