Risk Management with FSA & RMA

In this downpour, as small rivers run down the hills of my farm, it has me thinking more seriously about crop insurance. I may be one of the fortunate ones to not have lost any crops in this storm. Some of you may be experiencing issues with flooding, equipment damage, loss of crops or trees. There are good programs out there that assist farmers in times of need. The Farm Service Agency has been supporting farmers for many years. They offer loans, including new farmer loans, disaster assistance, and other programs including a program for replacing trees.

There is also a new Whole Farm Insurance Program offered by the Risk Management Agency. In the past many farm insurance programs have been directed at large scale or monocrop type farms. This new Whole Farm coverage is more compatible and beneficial for small or diverse farms. As an owner of a small, diverse farm, I am interested in looking into this program and learning more about how it works. What I have read so far makes me optimistic that it could be a good program for my risk management plan.

The University of California Cooperative Extension Placer-Nevada will be hosting two workshops for farmers and ranchers to learn about these programs. The first, on FSA Loans and Programs will be the topic at the next farmer-to-farmer breakfast, Wednesday, January 18, 2017, 8am-10am. Register here: http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=19593

The second is about the new RMA Whole Farm Insurance Program and will be held Tuesday, February 24, 2017, 3:00pm – 6:00pm. Register here: http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=19628
The intense rains are a reminder that risk management is an important part of growing a sustainable business. I look forward seeing you farmers and ranchers at these next two workshops. And in the meantime, I hope you are not washing away. Stay safe out there!