News

WASHINGTON, November 30, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced changes to its sugar beets crop insurance policy, making the plan more effective and flexible for producers.

The changes to the sugar beets policy updates the policy provisions and definitions to better reflect current agricultural practices for sugar beets. They also help simplify the policy for both producers and crop insurance providers, better aligning it with what is used across industry and clarifying options available.

“RMA is consistently looking for ways to make crop insurance more effective and accessible for producers,” said Martin Barbre, Administrator for the Risk Management Agency. “The changes to the sugar beets policy is a…

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced funding for partner organizations in educating farmers, ranchers, and producers with real-time crop insurance information and risk management tools.

Earlier this year RMA announced $8.89 million for risk management education and training. The organizations being selected today to receive this funding will assist producers, including limited resource, socially disadvantaged and other traditionally underserved farmers and ranchers, in managing risks and challenges in their agricultural operations. The funding also targets…

WASHINGTON, August 15, 2018 –Rickey L. Bearden of Plains, Texas was officially sworn in as a member of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) Board of Directors (Board) at a ceremony held at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency held August 10, 2018. Appointed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Bearden will be serving a four-year term of office along with fellow board member Michael Clemens who was sworn in May 22, 2018.

As a member of the FCIC Board, Bearden will be tasked with ensuring that the board continues its’ mission to direct the federal crop…

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced a new insurance plan for dairy producers that insures against unexpected declines in quarterly milk sales. Sign-up for the new product begins Tuesday, October 9, 2018, with the first available coverage starting the first quarter of 2019.

“Expanding the Federal crop insurance program to markets that need it is key to an effective farm safety net. Because of cooperation with partners like the American Farm Bureau Federation, we are able to offer this new product in a way that it can be flexible based on the needs of dairy producers,” said Bill Northey, Under Secretary, Farm Production and Conservation.

The new plan, called Dairy Revenue Protection, provides…

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced the availability of $8.89 million for risk management education and training programs. The funding will allow organizations such as universities, county cooperative extension offices, and nonprofit organizations to develop training and educational tools to help farmers and ranchers learn how to effectively manage long-term risks and challenges.

Interested organizations may apply by submitting documentation required as part of the Risk Management Education Partnerships Request for Applications (RFA). The applications are then reviewed, and awardees enter into cooperative agreements that are managed by RMA’s Risk Management Education Division.

"…

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2018 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue appointed Michael Clemens of Wimbledon, North Dakota to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) Board of Directors (Board). Clemens will serve a four-year term of office.

The FCIC Board oversees the federal crop insurance program, managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA). The Board reviews crop insurance products presented by outside parties and RMA, and determines which programs will best help farmers and ranchers. Crop insurance provides protection against a loss in production due to natural perils such as adverse weather conditions, insects or plant disease, or wildlife.

“The FCIC Board plays an important role in ensuring farmers…

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2018 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue appointed Rickey L. Bearden of Plains, Texas to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) Board of Directors (Board). Bearden will serve a four-year term of office.

The FCIC Board oversees the federal crop insurance program, managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA). The Board reviews crop insurance products presented by outside parties and RMA, and determines which programs will best help farmers and ranchers. Crop insurance provides protection against a loss in production due to natural perils such as adverse weather conditions, insects or plant disease, or wildlife.

"The FCIC Board plays an important role in ensuring farmers and ranchers have access to…

WASHINGTON, FEB. 21, 2018 – Last year’s hurricanes, wildfires, and droughts, devastated parts of the South, Midwest, Northern Plains, and California, and were a stark reminder that agriculture is an inherently risky business. Federal crop insurance indemnities for these disasters totaled more than $1 billion in 2017.

“The prosperity of the rural economy depends on our farmers and ranchers and their ability to bounce back from adverse conditions,” said Farm Production and Conservation Acting Deputy Under Secretary Robert Johansson. “Crop insurance is central to a strong farm safety net, and producers should talk with their agents to purchase their coverage before the sales closing date.”

To prepare for this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management…

WASHINGTON, FEB. 12, 2018 – Last year’s hurricanes, wildfires, and droughts, devastated parts of the South, Midwest, Northern Plains, and California, and were a stark reminder that agriculture is an inherently risky business. Federal crop insurance indemnities for these disasters totaled more than $1 billion in 2017.

“The prosperity of the rural economy depends on our farmers and ranchers and their ability to bounce back from adverse conditions,” said Farm Production and Conservation Acting Deputy Under Secretary Robert Johansson. “Crop insurance is central to a strong farm safety net, and producers should talk with their agents to purchase their coverage before the sales closing date.”

To prepare for this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk…

WASHINGTON, Dec 21, 2017 — Changes to the Federal crop insurance program initiated in 2017 will continue into 2018. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) continues to improve the program, increasing its availability and effectiveness as a risk management tool while safeguarding the integrity of the program.

In 2017, RMA had a number of accomplishments in the areas of program integrity, program efficiency, expanded options, and customer service. These accomplishments include the way RMA develops new pilot programs, and makes policy changes based on stakeholder feedback.

"RMA has a responsibility to producers to provide flexible and available crop insurance," said Robert Johansson, USDA's Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Farm…